Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
NewsContamination ControlMicrobiological

Denmark Sees Foodborne Illness Outbreaks Rise in 2021; Norovirus, Salmonella Most Common Causes

By Bailee Henderson
danish flag

Credit: DavidRockDesign via Pixabay

July 13, 2022

A recent Danish report outlines the foodborne illness outbreaks that occurred in Denmark in 2021. The report was produced by the Danish National Food Institute, the Technical University of Denmark, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, and the Statens Serum Institut.

According to the report, there were a total of 63 foodborne illness outbreaks in 2021, with a total of 1,257 case patients and an average of 20 patients per outbreak. Of the 63 outbreaks in 2021, 34 were local or regional, and 29 were national, six of which were part of international outbreaks.

2021 saw an increase in the number of foodborne illness outbreaks in Denmark compared to 2020, during which 35 outbreaks were recorded. The report notes the possibility of the precautionary measures that were put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic being the cause of 2020’s low number of outbreaks.

The report provides a breakdown of Denmark’s 63 foodborne illness outbreaks by their associated pathogens, which are listed as follows:

  • Norovirus (22.2 percent)
  • Salmonella (19 percent)
  • Listeria monocytogenes (7.9 percent)
  • Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, also known as STEC (7.9 percent)
  • Campylobacter (4.8 percent)
  • Clostridium perfringens (4.8 percent)
  • Shigella sonnei (4.8 percent)
  • Yersinia enterocolitica (3.2 percent)
  • Lectins (3.2 percent)
  • Enteroinvasive E. coli, also known as EIEC (1.6 percent)
  • Enterotoxigenic E. coli, also known as ETEC (1.6 percent)
  • Clostridium botulinum (1.6 percent)
  • Staphylococcus aureus (1.6 percent)
  • Bacillus cereus (1.6 percent)
  • Mixed pathogens (3.2 percent)
  • Unknown (11 percent).

Norovirus was the most frequent cause of Danish foodborne illness outbreaks in 2021, accounting for 14 outbreaks that affected 493 patients. The most common transmission route that was observed for norovirus was contamination from infected kitchen staff, with 14 outbreaks and 493 people affected.

Using whole genome sequencing (WGS), Salmonella was linked to 12 foodborne illness outbreaks, half of which were part of international outbreaks. Outbreaks associated with Salmonella include sugar melons contaminated with S. Braenderup that spanned 14 countries (41 recorded cases), sesame-based products contaminated with several Salmonella enterica serotypes (12 recorded cases), foreign eggs and egg products contaminated with S. Enteritidis (seven recorded cases), Danish eggs contaminated with Salmonella (26 recorded cases), and psyllium seed husks contaminated with S. Typhimurium (54 recorded cases).

The report also highlights three outbreaks of Campylobacter jejuni that were registered in Denmark in 2021. One long-lasting outbreak with 19 recorded cases was linked to C. jejuni ST21#7. Another outbreak of 28 cases was caused by C. jejuni ST52#4 and ST52#5. The third outbreak included 16 cases of C. jejuni ST50#18. All three outbreaks were revealed by comparison of recent findings in a Danish Campylobacter control program focused on domestic broiler meat.

Finally, the report discusses several miscellaneous outbreaks of interest. There were three L. monocytogenes outbreaks in Denmark during 2021 totaling 10–14 cases that could not be attributed to a source product. Additionally, in November 2021, the first national outbreak of EIEC was detected in Denmark, which resulted in 88 cases, 26 hospitalizations, and three deaths. Traceback investigations pointed to spring onions from Egypt as the possible cause of the outbreak. The report notes the importance of early communication, data access, and WGS in outbreak investigations.

KEYWORDS: Campylobacter Denmark E. coli listeria Salmonella

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Baileehendersonmay23

Bailee Henderson is the Digital Editor of Food Safety Magazine. She can be reached at hendersonb@bnpmedia.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Contamination Control
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Personal Hygiene/Handwashing
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    International
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • mold
    Sponsored byIFC

    Tackling Mold Remediation in Food Processing Plants

  • a worker in a food processing plant
    Sponsored byLPS® DETEX®

    How a Beverage Facility Improved Food Safety and Compliance with Detectable Packaging Solutions

  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

Popular Stories

carton of dozen brown eggs

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Eggs Ends With One Dead, 38 Hospitalized

close-up macaroni noodles with FDA logo overlay

FDA to Revoke 52 ‘Obsolete and Unnecessary’ Standards of Identity for Food Products

blue iced donuts next to pie of sugar with blue written in it

FDA Authorizes Use of Fourth ‘Natural’ Food Dye, Gardenia Blue

Events

July 22, 2025

Beyond the Binder: Digital Management of Food Safety

Live: July 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn best practices for the use of digital food safety management systems across industry and regulatory agencies.

August 7, 2025

Achieve Active Managerial Control of Major Risk Factors Using a Food Safety Management System

Live: August 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn about changes to the FDA Food Code, which now includes a requirement for FSMS. 

August 28, 2025

Strategies for Rodent Control in Distribution Facilities

Live: August 28, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn how to understand rodent behavior and innovative strategies for rodent management.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • campylobacter rendering

    EU Sees Increase of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks in 2021; Still Lower than Pre-Pandemic Levels

    See More
  • whole roasted chicken

    Campylobacter, Salmonella Infections Stay Below Pre-Pandemic Levels in EU, but Foodborne Illness Outbreaks Rise Overall

    See More
  • crispy skin pork

    15-Year Analysis Shows Pork, Salmonella Significant Causes of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks in China

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 9781138070912.jpg

    Trends in Food Safety and Protection

  • 1119237963.jpg

    Food Safety in China: Science, Technology, Management and Regulation

  • global food.jpg

    Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing