The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent food safety alert after tests found Salmonella Enteritidis in eggs imported from a business in Ukraine. Consumers who may have purchased the affected eggs are being warned not to eat them, while food businesses have been instructed to withdraw the products from the supply chain and recall them where they have been sold to the public.
The warning applies specifically to eggs linked to one Ukrainian food business. According to the FSA, the affected products are mainly supplied through wholesalers and catering businesses, including restaurants and other food service operators. Some may also have reached small independent shops, although the eggs are not sold through major supermarket chains.
The agency has advised anyone who has bought the affected eggs not to consume them. Instead, they should dispose of the products at home because they may be unsafe to eat. Businesses holding the eggs must act promptly to remove them from circulation and prevent further sales.
The alert follows egg sampling carried out during an ongoing investigation into a Salmonella outbreak believed to be associated with imported eggs. Although the strain identified in the Ukrainian eggs is genetically different from the strains linked to the outbreak currently under investigation, health officials have connected it to 36 reported cases of Salmonella infection in England during 2026.
UK food safety alert focuses on eggs from one Ukrainian supplier
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identified Salmonella Enteritidis in samples taken from eggs supplied by a Ukrainian business. Further testing, including whole genome sequencing, showed that the strain did not match the strains associated with the ongoing outbreak investigation.
However, the strain was linked to 36 Salmonella cases reported in England this year, prompting the FSA to take urgent action to protect public health. The agencies are continuing to investigate the source of the contamination and are working with other partners to ensure the affected eggs are removed from the market.
Jacquelyn McCormick, Head of Incidents at the FSA, said the agency had acted after identifying Salmonella in eggs imported from Ukraine. She stressed that businesses and consumers should follow the official alert, with affected products withdrawn from sale and recalled wherever they have already reached retail customers.
McCormick also clarified that UK-produced eggs are not affected by this particular warning. Eggs sold through major supermarkets are produced in the UK and are therefore not covered by the alert, according to the FSA. The issue relates to eggs from the specific Ukrainian supplier, which have mainly entered the catering and wholesale supply chains but may also have been sold through smaller retailers.
The agency said its advice on eggs outside the alert remains unchanged. Eggs should be thoroughly cooked and handled hygienically to reduce food safety risks. Infants, young children, pregnant people and older adults should continue to eat raw or lightly cooked eggs only if they carry the British Lion mark or are produced under the Laid in Britain scheme.
What are the symptoms of Salmonella infection?
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Common symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever. Many people recover within a few days without specific treatment, but the infection can sometimes lead to more serious complications.
In some cases, Salmonella can cause severe illness, including sepsis, and may require hospital treatment. Young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to serious complications.
Anyone who suspects they have developed Salmonella symptoms after eating potentially contaminated food should seek appropriate medical advice, particularly if symptoms are severe, persistent or accompanied by signs of dehydration. People who are concerned about their health should contact NHS 111 or their healthcare provider for guidance.
Hannah Charles, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said the agency had shared its findings with the FSA as soon as the contaminated eggs were identified. She explained that whole genome sequencing helps public health officials compare bacteria detected in patients and food samples, allowing them to investigate possible links between infections and identify strains associated with outbreaks.
The UKHSA routinely analyses Salmonella detected in patients seen in hospitals and primary care using this technology. The results help investigators understand whether cases may be connected and support decisions about the public health measures needed to reduce further infections.
Food businesses urged to check stock and follow recall advice
The FSA is working with local authorities to ensure that the food alert is implemented quickly. Caterers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers are being urged to check whether they hold eggs covered by the warning and follow the instructions for withdrawing and recalling affected products.
Businesses should not assume that all imported eggs are affected. The alert concerns eggs associated with one Ukrainian supplier, so identifying the specific products and supply chain is important. Food businesses that believe they may have received the affected eggs should follow the FSA’s official Food Alert for Action and take the required steps to prevent customers from consuming them.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the FSA says it is reviewing wider measures relating to the source of the outbreak while working with UKHSA, local authorities and international partners. Further action may be taken as more evidence becomes available.
For consumers, the key message is to check official recall information carefully rather than assume that every egg sold in the UK presents the same risk. The current alert does not cover UK-produced eggs, and the FSA has reiterated its existing advice on safe egg handling and cooking.
For Nigerians living in Britain, this warning is particularly relevant to households that shop at independent food stores and to people who regularly eat at restaurants, takeaways or other catering establishments. Some smaller retailers may stock products supplied through specialist wholesalers, so consumers who are unsure about the origin of eggs they have purchased should ask the retailer for clarification and check the latest FSA alert before eating them.
Nigerian-owned restaurants, caterers and food businesses should also review their stock and supplier records to establish whether any affected eggs have entered their kitchens. Taking prompt action can help protect customers, avoid further distribution of unsafe food and ensure businesses meet their food safety responsibilities. Families with young children, older relatives or pregnant household members should be especially careful to follow the FSA’s advice on raw and lightly cooked eggs.
At Chijos News, we will continue to highlight UK food safety alerts that matter to Nigerian households and diaspora businesses, from the groceries people bring home to the ingredients served in community restaurants. Knowing which products are affected, where they may have been sold and how to respond can help families make informed decisions and protect their health.