From pepperoni to prosciutto, sausages and cured meats from continental Europe are going to be targeted by UK inspectors amid several Salmonella incidents reported to the Health Protection Agency and linked to the products.

French, Italian, Belgium, and Dutch markets are listed as targets in the briefing documents sent to food safety departments across Sussex. Farmers’ markets and town markets will also be visited for samples.

Inspectors across Sussex will take hundreds of samples of biltong, continental sausages such as salamis, pepperoni and mettwurst and cured meat like proscuitto during the next 12 months.

Apart from specialist meats, egg mixes from restaurants and takeaways as well as packaged nuts will be tested.