UK Orders Recall of Ukrainian Eggs After Salmonella Detection

UK food safety authorities have ordered businesses to withdraw and recall certain eggs imported from Ukraine after testing detected Salmonella Enteritidis, a bacterium that can cause gastrointestinal illness. The warning, issued on October 10, 2026, covers eggs supplied by Yasensvit Ltd in Kyiv and distributed mainly through catering businesses and wholesalers, with some potentially sold by smaller retailers.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) identified the affected products by the code 3UA1012066, stamped directly onto the eggshell. According to the agency and Food Standards Scotland (FSS), the alert applies to every pack size and best-before date associated with the code.

Consumers who have purchased eggs bearing the code should not eat them and should dispose of them safely at home. Food businesses must immediately stop using or selling the affected eggs, remove remaining stock from sale, and recall products already sold directly to customers.

The authorities warned that some eggs may have been repacked in the UK and marketed under different business names or packing centre details. Checking the code printed on each shell is therefore the most reliable way to identify the affected products.

The FSA said the eggs are not sold through major supermarket chains. Most entered the catering supply chain, although some may have reached independent convenience stores and other small retailers.

Jacquelyn McCormick, Head of Incidents at the FSA, said the agency had acted after identifying contamination in imported eggs from a single Ukrainian business.

"We have identified Salmonella Enteritidis in eggs that were imported from a business in Ukraine and taken urgent action to protect public health and advised that any affected product on the UK market is withdrawn and recalled. It is important to say however that eggs produced in the UK are not affected. Eggs bought in major supermarkets are produced in the UK, and therefore not affected by this outbreak.

This issue relates specifically to eggs from one business in Ukraine, which are primarily supplied through wholesalers and the catering supply chain, but also sold at small retailers. We are urging businesses and consumers to follow our advice in the Food Alert For Action. Consumers should not eat these eggs and businesses should withdraw them, and where retail sales have occurred, recall them, as these eggs may be unsafe to eat.

Our advice for eggs not subject to the Food Alert for Action remains the same: Eggs that are thoroughly cooked and handled hygienically should not present a food safety risk. Infants, young children, pregnant people and older adults should continue to only eat raw or lightly cooked eggs if they carry the British Lion mark or are produced under the Laid in Britain scheme. We continue to work with UKHSA and partners to follow the evidence, and will continue to take the action necessary to protect public health as our investigation progresses."

McCormick said.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) detected the bacterium during testing linked to an ongoing investigation into a Salmonella outbreak. Whole genome sequencing found that the strain identified in the Ukrainian eggs was genetically different from the strains associated with the outbreak currently under investigation, but it was linked to 36 Salmonella infections reported in England during 2026.

Hannah Charles, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said the agency had shared the test results with the FSA to support further food safety measures.

"As part of egg testing conducted during our ongoing Salmonella outbreak investigation, we confirmed the detection of S. Enteritidis (t5.8998) in eggs imported from Ukraine and shared this information with FSA immediately to inform further food safety action to protect public health. We are urging the UK public to follow FSA advice which they have outlined in their Food Alert for Action.

The S. Enteritidis strain we identified in this batch of imported eggs is genetically different to S. Enteritidis strains linked to the ongoing Salmonella outbreak investigation, but is associated with 36 Salmonella cases in England reported in 2026.

In England, all Salmonella detected from patients seen in hospitals or primary care are routinely analysed using whole genome sequencing, helping us identify and investigate potential outbreaks. Most Salmonella infections cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever, which usually resolve without treatment after a few days of illness. However, the infection can occasionally cause more serious illness, including sepsis, requiring hospital admission, particularly in young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems."

Charles said.

Salmonella infections commonly cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and fever. According to UKHSA, symptoms usually resolve within a few days without treatment, but some infections can become severe and require hospital care, particularly among young children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems.

Food safety authorities advise anyone experiencing symptoms to stay away from work, school, or nursery until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours to reduce the risk of spreading the infection. The FSA is coordinating with local authorities to ensure affected eggs are removed from sale and recalls are carried out, while investigations into the wider outbreak continue.