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was withdrawn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.