Background: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Montevideo (antigenic formula 6,7,14:g,m,[p],s:[1,2,7]) is a serovar of the O:7 (C1) serogroup. S. Montevideo is the sixth most common serovar isolated from humans and animals in the U.S. Outbreaks caused by S. Montevideo have been associated with imported spices and live poultry. Whole genome sequencing of a number of S. Montevideo strains have been conducted, including an study that identified one strain with two large plasmids that encoded antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance genes.
Animal reservoir: Cattle and chickens are common reservoirs of S. Montevideo. This serovar has also been found in dogs.
Geographical distribution: S. Montevideo is globally distributed. It has been reported, among the most common serovars, in the U.S., Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania
Outbreaks: Numerous outbreaks in different countries have been linked to serovar Montevideo, imported spices have been associated with several of these outbreaks.
Year | Location | Associated source | Number of cases |
| 2018 | US: multistate | Raw sprouts | 10 |
| 2017 | US-multistate | Tahini | 8 |
| 2016 | US-multistate, Mexico, Canada, Peru | pistachios | 9 |
2013 | US: multistate | 16 | |
2012 | US: multistate | 93 | |
2010 | US-multistate | Red and Black Pepper/Italian-Style Meats | 272 |
2010 | Germany | 15 | |
2002-03 | Australia &New Zealand | Tahini | 68 |
2002 | Japan | Lunch prepared by caterer | 23 |
1996 | England | Cooked chicken | 10 |
1 Salmonella Montevideo (four persons) or Salmonella Mbandaka (12 persons) were reported from nine states.
Border rejections: Multiple border rejections associated with serovar Montevideo have been reported. Below are some examples.
Year | Exporting country | Importing country | Associated source | Product category |
| 2024 | France | Italy | Rabbit meal for petfood production | Animal by-products |
| 2024 | Turkey | Germany | Dog chew1 | Pet food |
| 2024 | Turkey | Finland | Curry powder2 | Herbs and spices |
| 2021 | Turkey | Finland | Potato seasoning3 | Herbs and spices |
1 Salmonella Anatum, Brancaster and Montevideo were found.
2 Salmonella Abony and Montevideo were found.
3 Salmonella Bredeney and Montevideo were found.
Recalls: Multiple recalls associated with serovar Montevideo have been reported. Below are some examples.
| Year | Location | Recalled food | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | EU: multi-country | Hummus from Belgium | Nuts, nut products and seeds |
| 2024 | Germany | Dog chews from France | Feed materials |
| 2023 | Germany | Sesame paste from Turkey | Nuts, nut products and seeds |
| 2023 | EU: multi-country | Organic tahini from Germany, made with raw material from Turkey | Nuts, nut products and seeds |
| 2016 | US-multistate, Mexico, Canada, Peru | Pistachios1 | Nuts, nut products and seeds |
1 Wonderful Pistachios of Lost Hills, California issued a voluntary recalled. The recalled pistachios, distributed under the Wonderful, Paramount Farms, and Trader Joe’s brands, were sold across the US as well as in Canada, Mexico, and Peru.
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