The Belgian food agency has urged people to pay particular attention to food safety, especially when preparing meals at home for family or friends.
In 2025, 773 foodborne outbreaks were reported, 19 percent of which occurred in domestic settings. A total of 3,375 people fell ill and 71 of them required hospitalization.
There were also 12 deaths, which was higher than in previous years. The increase was mainly because of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak that affected nursing homes in August.