Of the total number of those affected, 14 were hospitalised
The Community of Madrid has called for heightened precautions during the summer to prevent foodborne illness, particularly with packaged foods or those containing eggs, following the recording of 60 outbreaks affecting 680 people between January and August 2024. Salmonella has been the primary causative agent.
Of the 680 people affected, 14 required hospitalisation, according to the Directorate General of Public Health. The authorities recommend following a series of basic measures to reduce risk: maintaining good hand hygiene; properly cleaning utensils and cutting surfaces, keeping raw products separate from cooked ones; cooking at appropriate temperatures and refrigerating food if it is not consumed immediately.
It is advised to prepare dishes such as Spanish omelette (tortilla de patatas) as close to serving time as possible, to keep them refrigerated for no more than two days, and to avoid serving them on the same dish used during preparation, in order to prevent potential contamination from raw egg residue.
In the case of mayonnaise and other egg-based sauces, it is recommended to use pasteurised egg or to prepare them shortly before consumption, keeping them refrigerated and avoiding storing leftovers.
Particular care must be taken with children, pregnant women, and the elderly. For example, cut fruit that has been stored at room temperature for more than two hours should not be given to them, as explained by the Directorate General of Public Health in an information note.
For packaged products, it is essential to read the labelling and follow the storage and preparation instructions, as not all foods are shelf-stable at room temperature. It is important to confirm whether the product must be refrigerated and not to exceed the indicated use-by or best-before date.
Furthermore, any packaging that shows bulging or perforations, or that releases air upon opening, should be discarded.
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