The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging households to carefully inspect their eggs for a specific symbol and an eight-digit code to reduce the risk of salmonella infection. This advice comes in the wake of a salmonella outbreak that has caused one death and affected 207 people across the UK.
The outbreak has been tentatively linked to eggs imported from outside the UK, according to officials. Salmonella infection typically manifests as gastroenteritis, with symptoms including stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting, and fever.
Of those affected, 38% required hospital treatment, and two cases involved serious bloodstream infections, as reported by the Express.
READ MORE: Brian Madjo Draws Comparisons to Wayne Rooney Following Impressive PSG Display
Between 11 August last year and 1 August this year, a total of 207 cases were confirmed: 199 in England, six in Scotland, one in Wales, and one in Northern Ireland.
Salmonella is a significant cause of food poisoning in the UK, responsible for severe symptoms and, at recent counts, has claimed 33 lives in a single year. It presents a particular threat to the elderly and individuals with weakened immune systems.
The British Lion scheme serves as the UK’s foremost safeguard against salmonella in eggs. According to Egg Info, “The British Lion scheme is the UK’s most successful food safety initiative. Over 90% of UK eggs are produced under this scheme, with more than 200 billion British Lion eggs sold since its inception in 1998.”
The scheme has substantially reduced salmonella presence in UK eggs and has received Food Standards Agency approval for eggs to be consumed runny or even raw, including by vulnerable groups.
Eggs bearing the British Lion mark are produced under strict codes of practice, ensuring the highest food safety standards. This encompasses vaccination of hens against salmonella and a traceability system for hens, eggs, and feed.
Consumers can verify egg safety by looking for the Red Lion symbol on the packaging, along with the eight-digit code. This code delineates:
- Farming method (numbers 0-3): 0 for organic, 1 for free range, 2 for barn, and 3 for cage farming.
- Country of origin (e.g., UK).
- A five-digit farm code identifying the specific source farm.
- The standard best before date (e.g., BB 15APR). It is important to note that eggs can still be safely consumed past their best before date, which differs from a ‘use by’ date, though freshness may decline.
Hannah Charles, lead epidemiologist for gastrointestinal infections at UKHSA, stated: “We are collaborating with the Food Standards Agency and other public health bodies to investigate a salmonella outbreak potentially linked to eggs imported from outside the UK.”
She added, “Salmonellosis commonly results from consuming or handling contaminated food and is rarely spread from person to person. While it generally causes a mild illness, vulnerable groups may experience more severe symptoms.”
Symptoms to watch for include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever. Anyone concerned about such symptoms should contact their GP or out-of-hours medical service.
To prevent the spread of salmonella, individuals are advised to wash their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before handling food, to cook food thoroughly, and to avoid preparing food for others if symptomatic.