Salmonella, a leading cause of food-borne outbreaks

Whether or not a person contracts salmonellosis, the infection caused by salmonella, depends on the type of bacteria and the quantity consumed. – Photo: nobeastsofierce/Shutterstock, via ETX Studio

Salmonella, fears over which sparked a cautionary recall of Kinder chocolate eggs in several European countries last Tuesday, is one of the most common causes of food-borne outbreaks.

Named after the American veterinarian who helped discover the bacteria, Daniel Elmer Salmon, salmonella often causes mild illness, but can be life-threatening in extreme cases.