Sweden has noted an increase in foodborne outbreaks and illnesses in 2021 but levels were still below pre-COVID-19 pandemic figures.
The number of outbreaks reported to the Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) in 2020 and 2021 was affected by measures taken during the pandemic.
There were 251 reports of suspected or confirmed food poisoning outbreaks with 1,467 illnesses. Both the number of reports and the number of cases increased compared to 160 outbreaks and 1,314 cases in 2020 but are still lower than the historical average.
When several Coronavirus-related restrictions were lifted in the autumn of 2021, the number of cases increased. Sixteen major outbreaks occurred during this season.
Eleven people have been hospitalized in seven outbreaks and one person died during a Campylobacter epidemic which infected eight people.
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