FSA Issues Urgent Egg Recall Warning After Salmonella Found in Eggs Imported From Ukraine
The Food Standards Agency has urged UK businesses and consumers to withdraw, recall and avoid eating eggs supplied by a Ukrainian food business after testing confirmed Salmonella Enteritidis contamination. The warning follows investigations linking the detected strain to 36 reported cases of Salmonella infection in England during 2026.
FSA Issues Food Safety Alert Over Contaminated Eggs
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent food safety warning after investigations identified Salmonella Enteritidis in eggs imported from a business in Ukraine. The alert, published on 10 October 2026, calls on businesses across the food supply chain to take immediate action to remove the affected eggs from circulation.
The warning applies to caterers, food manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and other businesses that may have received the affected products. Consumers who have purchased these eggs are also being advised not to eat them and to dispose of them safely at home.
According to the FSA, the contaminated eggs are primarily distributed through wholesalers and the catering industry. However, some may also have reached smaller shops and independent retailers. The agency has clarified that the affected products are not sold through major supermarket chains.
The alert forms part of wider investigations into Salmonella infections in England and aims to prevent further exposure to potentially contaminated food.
Businesses Urged to Withdraw and Recall Affected Products
The FSA's Food Alert for Action instructs businesses that may hold the affected eggs to remove them from their supply chains immediately.
Food businesses must identify any potentially affected stock, stop using or selling the eggs, and follow the agency's instructions for withdrawal and recall. Where the products have already been sold to consumers through retail outlets, businesses are being advised to initiate a recall.
The warning is particularly important for catering businesses, food manufacturers and wholesalers because eggs may be used as ingredients in a wide range of products and meals.
Businesses should review their purchasing records, check the origin of their egg supplies and contact their suppliers if they are uncertain whether they have received affected products. They should also follow official guidance and cooperate with local authorities responsible for implementing the alert.
Consumers who believe they have purchased eggs covered by the warning should not eat them, even if the eggs appear normal. The safest course of action is to dispose of the affected products rather than risk exposure to Salmonella.
The FSA is working with local authorities to ensure the warning is implemented promptly and that potentially unsafe eggs are removed from circulation.
Salmonella Detected During Ongoing Investigation
The contaminated eggs were identified during sampling carried out as part of an ongoing investigation into a Salmonella outbreak believed to be associated with imported eggs.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) detected Salmonella Enteritidis in egg samples from a Ukrainian supplier. Following laboratory testing, the agency conducted whole genome sequencing to examine the genetic characteristics of the bacteria.
The analysis found that the strain detected in the eggs did not genetically match the strains currently being investigated in connection with the ongoing outbreak. However, the identified strain has been associated with 36 reported cases of Salmonella infection in England during 2026.
The findings prompted the UKHSA to share the information with the FSA so that appropriate food safety measures could be introduced.
Although the strain differs from those linked to the outbreak currently under investigation, its association with reported human infections makes the discovery significant for public health.
The FSA has therefore taken precautionary action to ensure the affected eggs are withdrawn and recalled, reducing the risk of further exposure.
UK Eggs Sold in Major Supermarkets Are Not Affected
The FSA has stressed that the warning relates specifically to eggs supplied by one business in Ukraine. Eggs produced in the UK are not affected by this particular alert.
According to the agency, eggs sold through major UK supermarkets are produced domestically and are not included in the recall.
However, consumers should remain aware that the affected imported eggs may have been distributed through wholesalers, catering suppliers and smaller retail outlets. People who buy eggs from independent shops or obtain them through food businesses should follow the official advice if they suspect their purchase may be affected.
The warning does not mean that all imported eggs or all eggs sold in the UK are unsafe. It concerns products associated with the identified Ukrainian business.
Consumers and businesses should consult the official FSA Food Alert for Action for the latest details about the affected products and the steps required.
What Are the Symptoms of Salmonella Infection?
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. Infection commonly occurs when people consume contaminated food, including eggs or foods prepared using contaminated eggs.
According to the UKHSA, the most common symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever.
Many people recover within a few days without requiring specific treatment. However, the illness can occasionally become more serious and may lead to complications such as sepsis, which can require hospital treatment.
Certain groups are at greater risk of severe illness, including young children, older adults, pregnant people and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Anyone who develops symptoms after eating potentially contaminated food should seek appropriate medical advice, particularly if symptoms are severe, persistent or accompanied by signs of dehydration.
People should also follow standard food hygiene practices, including washing their hands thoroughly, cleaning food preparation surfaces and preventing raw eggs or other potentially contaminated ingredients from coming into contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Health Authorities Explain the Importance of Testing
Jacquelyn McCormick, Head of Incidents at the FSA, said the agency had identified Salmonella Enteritidis in eggs imported from a Ukrainian business and had taken urgent action to protect public health.
She emphasised that affected products must be withdrawn from the market and recalled where they have already been sold. She also reiterated that UK-produced eggs are not affected by this particular alert.
Hannah Charles, Lead Epidemiologist at the UKHSA, confirmed that testing had detected Salmonella Enteritidis in imported eggs and that the findings were shared with the FSA to support further food safety action.
The UKHSA routinely analyses Salmonella bacteria identified in patients receiving hospital or primary care in England using whole genome sequencing. This technology helps specialists compare bacterial strains, identify genetic similarities and investigate potential outbreaks.
Although the strain found in the Ukrainian eggs was genetically different from the strains linked to the ongoing outbreak investigation, it was associated with 36 cases reported in England in 2026.
The investigation highlights the importance of laboratory surveillance and cooperation between public health agencies and food safety regulators in identifying potential risks.
Advice for Consumers Handling Eggs
The FSA has advised consumers not to eat eggs covered by the alert and to dispose of them at home.
For eggs that are not included in the warning, the agency's general advice remains unchanged. Eggs that are thoroughly cooked and handled hygienically should not present a food safety risk under normal circumstances.
Infants, young children, pregnant people and older adults should continue to eat raw or lightly cooked eggs only when they carry the British Lion mark or are produced under the Laid in Britain scheme, in line with the FSA's advice.
Consumers should avoid assuming that an egg is safe simply because its shell looks clean or undamaged. Salmonella contamination cannot reliably be identified by sight, smell or taste.
Businesses should also maintain appropriate food safety procedures, ensure traceability records are available and respond promptly to product safety alerts.
Investigation Continues as Authorities Monitor the Situation
The FSA continues to work with the UKHSA, local authorities and international partners as investigations into the source of the contamination progress.
Officials are reviewing wider measures relating to the source of the current outbreak while ensuring that the affected eggs are removed from the UK market.
The alert serves as a reminder of the importance of food traceability, effective laboratory testing and rapid action when potentially unsafe products are identified.
Businesses handling eggs should check their supplies without delay, while consumers should follow the official recall advice and avoid eating any eggs covered by the warning.
Further updates may be issued as investigators gather additional evidence and assess the wider implications for food safety.
Sources
- Food Standards Agency (FSA)
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general information and public awareness purposes only. It is based on the information provided in the official food safety announcement dated 10 October 2026 and should not replace official guidance from the Food Standards Agency or the UK Health Security Agency. Product details and recommendations may change as investigations progress. Consumers and food businesses should consult the official Food Alert for Action for the latest information and follow all relevant instructions.