Listeria Outbreak Linked to Coco & Carmen: New Developments and Expert Insights

A significant listeria outbreak has emerged in Stockholm, traced to the luxury restaurant Coco & Carmen, resulting in numerous hospitalizations and serious health concerns. As of October 2, 2025, reports indicate 81 individuals have fallen ill after dining at the restaurant, and health authorities are actively investigating the situation, with early analyses pointing towards Espresso Semifreddo as the potential source of infection.

Health experts are alarmed by the scale of this outbreak. Mats Lindblad, coordinator at the Swedish Food Agency, noted that there have been approximately 20 hospitalizations related to suspected listeria infections in Stockholm, including at least four cases of sepsis that can be attributed to the bacteria. Lindblad expressed, "I have never experienced anything like this," emphasizing the rarity of restaurant-associated listeria outbreaks of such magnitude.

The affected individuals primarily dined at Coco & Carmen between September 23 and September 27, as Smittskydd Stockholm seeks to identify any further cases through contact tracing. Initial AI analysis has suggested that the Espresso Semifreddo dessert could be the culprit, with almost all ill individuals having consumed it. Jörgen Johansson, a professor and listeria expert, highlighted the plausibility of this conclusion, though he also remarked that it remains unproven pending laboratory results. He cautioned that while Coco & Carmen is under scrutiny, other restaurants should not be completely ruled out as possible sources.

In total, hospitalizations and cases related to this outbreak extend beyond Stockholm, with reports of affected individuals seeking medical care from six different regions in Sweden. Health officials continue to advise high-risk groups—like the elderly and pregnant women—to exercise caution. The situation is still developing, with ongoing investigations aimed at confirming the source of the outbreak and preventing further infections.