Listeria outbreak linked to restaurant in Sweden

About 20 people have been hospitalized in a region of Sweden with suspected Listeria infections.

Stockholm’s infection control unit said people may have been infected with Listeria after eating at a restaurant in central Stockholm.

An initial warning covered the period Sept. 25 to 27 but this has been expanded to include people who ate at the restaurant on Sept. 23 and 24. People who may have been exposed to infection have received information from the infection control unit. A total of 450 guests visited the site on these days. The restaurant has temporarily closed.

Ten people have been confirmed to be infected with Listeria after eating at the Coco & Carmen restaurant. About 130 people have had symptoms and sought hospital treatment in the Stockholm region. Investigations are ongoing to find the food source.

Restaurant response
In a statement, the restaurant said: “We have received reports of food poisoning at Coco & Carmen during an isolated period of Sept. 25 to 27. We take this very seriously and, as the wellbeing of our guests is our highest priority, we have on our own initiative closed the restaurant until further notice and started an investigation to clarify where or how this may have entered our premises.

“We have always had approved food inspections since we took over Coco & Carmen just over six years ago, we maintain the highest standards internally in our kitchens, we place very high demands on our suppliers, and we have very good cooperation with the relevant authorities.”

The restaurant is planning to reopen when the source has been identified and addressed.

Patients with varying symptoms are being treated or kept in for observation at hospitals in the region but none of them are currently receiving intensive care.

“Guests from the restaurant with ongoing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea are recommended to visit a hospital emergency room for assessment,” said Andreas Jacks, assistant infectious disease physician in the Stockholm Region.

National oversight
The Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten) is coordinating national investigation work and supporting regional sample analyses.

Some people have fallen ill with sepsis shortly after being infected, and there are otherwise healthy people who are sick with Listeriosis.

“This is different from what is usual. Normally, it is mainly pregnant women, older people or people with a weakened immune system due to an underlying illness who get sick,” said Erik Sturegård, acting state epidemiologist.

Livsmedelsverket (The Swedish Food Agency) is also part of the investigation.

In 2024, 114 Listeria infections were reported, down from 131 in 2023, and 23 people died within 30 days of the date of sampling. As in previous years, the incidence was highest in people older than 80.

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look, smell or taste spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten at the restaurant and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who ate at the restaurant should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/10/listeria-outbreak-linked-to-restaurant-in-sweden/