UK health officials warn of salmonella outbreak linked to eggs

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has declared a national salmonella outbreak that has resulted in one death and more than 200 illnesses. Health officials describe the outbreak as “unusually large and rapidly increasing.”

Following the declaration, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) advised vulnerable groups—including pregnant women, children under five, individuals over 65, and those with specific health conditions—to avoid consuming undercooked or runny eggs when dining out. This warning extends to foods containing uncooked eggs, such as mayonnaise, soufflé, and hollandaise sauce.

Investigations suggest the outbreak may be linked to imported eggs, as some eateries involved were reportedly purchasing eggs from abroad. FSA Chief Scientific Adviser Ian Young noted that while runny eggs pose a risk in restaurants and takeaways, well-cooked eggs remain safe to consume. He also clarified that there is no link between the current outbreak and British eggs, noting that UK chickens are vaccinated against common salmonella strains.