A community-based outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium associated with salami consumption in Northern Italy

An outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium belonging to phage type (PT) 193 occurred in autumn 1995 and involved 83 individuals in a large area of Northern Italy (Lombardy Region). Epidemiological and microbiological investigations of strains isolated from clinical and food specimens revealed that the vehicle was a batch of salami, produced on 4 September 1995 by a local firm. The outbreak was contained when the batch was withdrawn from sale. Insufficient ripening of the salami had allowed the salmonella to survive, emphasizing the need to define criteria for the ripening process of foods such as salami.