Households and businesses across the UK have been alerted to a food alert issued by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) after salmonella was detected in some eggs. The affected eggs, which originate from Yasensvit Ltd, Ukraine, are stamped with the code 3UA1012066. Anyone with eggs bearing this code has been advised not to consume them but rather to dispose of them immediately.
FSA urges withdrawal of affected eggs
The FSA stated that all of the eggs should be withdrawn from sale and not eaten. It added: "All eggs with the code 3UA1012066 should be withdrawn from the market and recalled from consumers. These eggs should not be consumed."
The eggs are raw shell-on eggs with product code 3UA1012066, from Yasensvit Ltd, Kyiv, Ukraine. The recall covers all pack sizes and all best-before dates.
What consumers and businesses should do
The FSA said: "Consumers should check the code stamped on the egg; do not eat eggs stamped with 3UA1012066. Instead, dispose of them at home." These eggs are not sold in large retailers, like supermarkets. Most are used within the catering supply chain; however, some eggs may also be sold at small shops such as corner shops.
Food businesses have been advised to check their egg supply chain and the codes under their supervision. The FSA added: "It is possible eggs with this code originating from Yasensvit Ltd, Kyiv, Ukraine, may have been repacked by other businesses in the UK and have different business details and packing centre codes detailed on the outer packaging."
Businesses are advised to immediately stop using or selling eggs with the stamp 3UA1012066, undertake product withdrawals, and where there have been retail sales, to undertake product recalls. If you have been supplied with these eggs, dispose of them safely. These eggs should not be diverted to further processing.
Salmonella symptoms and vulnerable groups
Salmonella is a group of bacteria responsible for one of the most common forms of food poisoning in the UK. Most individuals become infected by consuming contaminated food. It can be present in foods including eggs, chicken, pork and dairy products. Fruit and vegetables can also harbour the bacteria if they have been in contact with livestock, manure or untreated water. Salmonella can also be transmitted through close contact in rare instances.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, symptoms typically include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and occasionally vomiting and fever. These usually emerge between 12 and 72 hours following infection, and illness generally lasts four to seven days. Those experiencing symptoms should remain absent from work, school or nursery until their symptoms have subsided for at least 48 hours, to prevent passing the illness on to others.
For most people, the symptoms can resolve on their own, yet others face a heightened risk of more serious illness. This encompasses elderly individuals, pregnant women, young children and anybody with a compromised immune system, such as those suffering from cancer, kidney or liver failure, uncontrolled diabetes, or those undergoing steroid treatment or chemotherapy.
The UK Health Security Agency recommends consuming British Lion marked eggs and, when dining out, ensuring that eggs are fully cooked. It said: "This means avoiding dishes such as soft boiled or poached eggs, fresh mayonnaise, mousses, soufflés and hollandaise sauce, unless you know the eggs used meet these assurance standards."
