Outbreak Background – March 20, 2025 update
Federal health agencies have finished investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak connected to Italian-manufactured mini pastries distributed in the United States. The Sweet Cream-brand pastries, exported by Quebec-based Importations Piu Che Dolci Inc., was linked to 18 infections across seven states. One person was hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. In interviews conducted with seven of those affected, five confirmed consuming pastries before falling ill.
The investigation began on January 21, 2025, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was alerted to a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak matching a strain under investigation in Canada. Following the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) findings linking the outbreak to Sweet Cream products, the manufacturer initiated a recall of all mini pastry products with best-by dates between June 17 and November 15, 2025.
The FDA’s investigation is now complete.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) also said their investigation is now closed.
Distribution – March 20, 2025 update
The recalled products were confirmed to have been distributed in Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to a variety of businesses and organizations, including bakeries, hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, retirement residences, and were also served at catered events. All businesses were notified of the situation and the product is no longer available for sale.
Two U.S. distributors were involved in importing the affected pastries. While one distributor had no remaining inventory, the second quarantined their stock and notified their customers of the recall. FDA investigators traced one case to a restaurant that served the recalled pastries to a customer who subsequently became ill.
The FDA confirmed distribution in four states but said that the product could have been further distributed to additional states.
Product Details – March 20, 2025 update
| Brand | Product | Size | UPC Code | Other Codes | Additional Information |
| Sweet Cream | Mini Patisserie | ~4 kg (4 boxes x 30 pieces) | 8 058302 730028 | All best before dates from June 17, 2025 up and including November 15, 2025 | This product may have been sold clerk-served or in smaller packages, with or without a label that may not bear the same brand, product name or best before date |
| Mini Patisserie – Tray A | 1 kg (30 pieces) | 8 058302 730004 | |||
| Mini Patisserie – Tray B | 1 kg (30 pieces) | 8 058302 730011 |
Timeline – March 20, 2025 update
The FDA and CDC have not released when the first case linked to this outbreak was reported in the United States. The last reported onset of illness in the United States was on December 26, 2024.
In Canada, the first case of reported illness was on September 22, 2024 and the last reported onset of illness was early February 2025.
Location of Affected Individuals – March 20, 2025 update
Eighteen (18) illnesses were reported in the following states:
- California, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
In Canada, 79 illnesses were reported in the following provinces:
- British Columbia – 4 cases
- Alberta – 5 cases
- Ontario – 26 cases
- Quebec – 43 cases
- New Brunswick – 1 case
Twenty-four (24) people were hospitalized in Canada. No deaths were reported.
Demographics – March 20, 2025 update
No demographic data for those infected in the United States was made available.
In Canada, the breakdown of cases by gender is 59% female and 41% male, aged 3 to 88 years old.
Laboratory and Traceback Findings – March 20, 2025 update
The FDA said that the New Jersey Department of Health’s Communicable Disease Service partnered with the City of Paterson (New Jersey) Division of Health and the Public Health and Environmental Laboratories to test Sweet Cream-brand mini pastries. Under the Laboratory Flexible Funding Model program, they collected samples from a warehouse containing recalled products. Testing revealed three samples positive for Salmonella, with genetic analysis confirming these matched the outbreak strain through Whole Genome Sequencing.
Consumer Action – March 20, 2025 update
Consumers and food service providers should still check their homes and businesses for the recalled products.
As with all food recalls, consumers are strongly advised to discontinue use of the affected products even if they look or smell safe to eat.
Anyone in possession of the recalled products is requested to not sell, serve, or distribute them.
Consumers and food service providers should thoroughly sanitize any surface, utensils, or containers that have come into contact with the impacted products.
Consumers uncertain about whether they have bought the recalled products should reach out to their retailer for clarification.
The recalled products should be disposed of immediately.
Health Risks – March 20, 2025 update
Multiple illnesses in connection with consumption of the affected product were reported in the United States and Canada. Any consumers who are experiencing symptoms after contact with the affected product should contact their medical provider.
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in humans. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, appearing six hours to six days after exposure to the bacteria. While most people recover without specific treatment, the infection can be severe, especially for young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
The FDA said it has taken additional measures to safeguard public health by placing Sweet Cream S.R.L.S.’s Mini Patisserie Ready to Eat pastries on the Red List of Import Alert #99-19. This designation, titled “Detention Without Physical Examination of Food Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella,” allows FDA field personnel to detain shipments of these Italian-manufactured pastries without requiring physical inspection. This action aims to prevent potentially contaminated products from entering the United States market.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading Salmonella lawyer said, “Fortunately, this outbreak has ended with no reported deaths. Because it is possible that some consumers and businesses have the impacted products in their freezers, I urge both groups to double-check their inventories and remove any recalled pastries that they find.”
