Households are being urged to inspect their eggs for a specific symbol and an eight-digit code to reduce the risk of salmonella, following a death believed to be connected to imported eggs. Health officials have confirmed that one person has died and hundreds more have fallen ill as a result of a food poisoning outbreak.
UKHSA links outbreak to imported eggs
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has stated that the salmonella outbreak "may be linked to eggs imported from outside of the UK". Between August 11 last year and August 1 this year, 207 cases have been recorded: 199 in England, six in Scotland, one in Wales and one in Northern Ireland.
More than a third of those affected (38%) required hospital admission, with two individuals developing potentially life-threatening blood stream infections. Salmonella typically causes a self-limiting gastroenteritis, with symptoms including stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. It poses a particularly serious risk to the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
How to identify safe eggs
To verify your egg is safe to consume, search for the Red Lion symbol, alongside the eight-digit code. The code indicates: the first digit (0-3) shows the farming method — 0 = organic, 1 = free range, 2 = barn, 3 = cage. Next is the country of origin, e.g. UK. Then the following five digits are the farm code, e.g. 54321, which identifies which farm the eggs originated from.
Beneath that is the standard best before date — BB 15APR for example. It's important to note you can still consume eggs beyond their 'best before', which differs from a 'use by'. They simply won't be as fresh, but they are no more likely to cause salmonella if eaten after the best before.
British Lion scheme and official advice
The British Lion scheme represents the UK's primary defence against salmonella in eggs. Egg Info explains: "The British Lion is the UK's most successful food safety scheme. Over 90% of UK eggs are now produced under the British Lion scheme and more than 200 billion British Lion eggs have been sold since its launch in 1998."
"The British Lion scheme has been responsible for a drastic reduction to the presence of salmonella in UK eggs and the Food Standards Agency has recently confirmed that they are approved to be consumed runny, or even raw, by vulnerable groups. All eggs that carry the British Lion mark have been produced under the stringent requirements of the British Lion Code of Practice which ensures the highest standards of food safety. The code covers the entire production chain and ensures strict food safety controls including the guarantee that all hens are vaccinated against salmonella and a 'passport' system ensuring that all hens, eggs and feed are fully traceable."
Hannah Charles, lead epidemiologist for gastrointestinal infections at UKHSA, said: "We're working with Food Standards Agency and other public health agencies to investigate a salmonella outbreak that may be linked to eggs imported from outside of the UK. Salmonellosis is often caused by eating or handling contaminated food and can be spread rarely from person-to-person. Salmonella generally causes a mild illness, although vulnerable groups with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illness. Symptoms of a salmonella infection include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and sometimes vomiting and fever. Anyone who is concerned about symptoms should contact their GP or out of hours service in the first instance. There are simple steps to prevent the spread of salmonella: wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before preparing and handling food, cook food thoroughly, and if you have any symptoms, avoid handling food for others where possible."
