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Jan 21, 2026 - Foods

Foodborne Disease Outbreaks 2024: Case Numbers in Germany Rise Again

The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) published their joint annual report on foodborne disease outbreaks in Germany for the year 2024 on January 8, 2026. The results show a significant increase in both reported outbreaks and affected individuals compared to previous years.

Salmonella and Campylobacter remain main causes
As in previous years, Salmonella were the most common cause of foodborne outbreaks, responsible for about a third of all reported cases. Bacteria of the genus Campylobacter ranked second, causing around a quarter of the outbreaks. Both pathogens are predominantly transmitted via raw or insufficiently heated animal products and can cause infections even in small numbers.

Outbreaks increasingly outside the private sector
Notably, foodborne illnesses no longer occur only in domestic settings. The gastronomy sector, snack bars, and community catering are increasingly affected. This highlights the particular responsibility of food businesses to ensure effective hygiene concepts, consistent temperature control, and regular microbiological self-monitoring along the entire production and supply chain.

Significance for food safety and businesses
The increase in case numbers once again underscores that food safety is not an abstract issue, but has a direct impact on public health. For companies, it means that preventive measures—from raw material control to storage to hygienic processing—are indispensable. Businesses should regularly review their internal processes, conduct training sessions, and strategically minimize potential risk factors.

BAV Institute supports companies in checking food safety, product declaration and labeling, as well as microbiological testing according to current legal requirements. Our expertise helps businesses to identify risks early and act preventively.

You can find the complete report by BVL and RKI on foodborne disease outbreaks 2024 here.