Under-fives and pregnant women told to avoid runny eggs when eating out over salmonella risk

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a warning to vulnerable individuals, including under-fives, over-65s, pregnant women, and those with health conditions, to refrain from consuming under-cooked or runny eggs when dining out due to a developing salmonella outbreak. The FSA explained that well-cooked eggs in restaurants, cafes, and takeaways are safe to eat.

This advisory comes after the UK Health Security Agency declared a national outbreak of salmonella food poisoning, resulting in one death and hundreds of illnesses. Investigations suggest that imported eggs or dishes containing them may be responsible for the outbreak. FSA chief scientific adviser Ian Young emphasized the importance of ensuring that eggs or egg products in restaurants and cafes are thoroughly cooked for vulnerable individuals, while also noting that British eggs from supermarkets are safe as chickens in the UK are vaccinated against common strains of salmonella.

The outbreak is described as unusually large and rapidly increasing, with over 200 cases in the UK, primarily in England. Genetic testing indicates that all infections are part of the same outbreak, similar to previous outbreaks involving imported eggs. Salmonella is a family of bacteria commonly found in animals, including cattle, pigs, and chickens, which is why eggs and poultry are often associated with the infection.

People can contract salmonella by consuming contaminated food that has not been cooked properly or through cross-contamination in the kitchen or contact with infected animals. Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, or fever, with older people, babies, and individuals with weakened immune systems at the greatest risk of severe disease.

Hospital care with fluids and antibiotics may be necessary in such cases. Anyone concerned should contact their GP or out-of-hours service.