Shoppers and food businesses across the UK have been told not to eat or sell certain eggs imported from Ukraine after salmonella was identified in the product. The warning applies to eggs stamped with the code 3UA1012066, which are printed directly onto the shell.
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued the warning on October 10. The affected eggs originate from Yasensvit Ltd, Kyiv, Ukraine, and may have been supplied to catering businesses or sold through smaller retail outlets.
Check the egg stamp code
Consumers and food businesses are urged to check eggs for the code 3UA1012066. Eggs may have been repacked by UK businesses and sold under different business names or packing centre details on the outer packaging, making the egg stamp code the most reliable way to identify affected products, FSS said.
People who have bought eggs stamped with the code should not eat them and should dispose of them safely at home.
Salmonella symptoms and advice
Salmonella infection can cause symptoms including fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. Anyone experiencing symptoms should avoid attending work, school or nursery until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours to help prevent the spread of infection.
Food businesses that have received eggs stamped 3UA1012066 should immediately stop selling or using them, withdraw affected stock from sale and, where products have been sold directly to consumers, undertake a recall, FSS said. Affected eggs should be disposed of safely.
Where the eggs were sold
FSS added that while most affected eggs are believed to have been supplied through the catering sector, some may also have been available through smaller independent retailers and convenience stores. They are not sold through major supermarket chains.
Eggs that are thoroughly cooked and handled hygienically should not present a food safety risk. Infants, young children, pregnant people and older adults should continue to only eat raw or lightly cooked eggs if they are produced in the UK and are part of a recognised assurance scheme, FSS said.
