Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Alfalfa Sprouts Claims Two Lives in Finland, Supply Chain Fraud Suspected

A spring salmonella epidemic linked to contaminated alfalfa sprouts has resulted in two fatalities in Finland, according to health authorities. The outbreak, caused by the Salmonella bovismorbificans bacterium, infected at least 64 people domestically, with ten requiring hospital treatment. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) confirmed on July 14 that the epidemic is now over (Yle). Both deaths occurred within a month of infection confirmation, with one of the deceased in end-of-life care, as confirmed by Elina Leinonen, a senior specialist at the Finnish Food Authority (Yle). Authorities note that underlying illnesses may have contributed to the fatalities (Ilta-Sanomat). The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that the outbreak affected 109 people across 11 European countries since October 2025 (Yle).