Official documents on a desk representing a public health outbreak report

UK Declares Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Imported Eggs

The UK Health Security Agency has declared a national outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis, with 207 confirmed cases across the four UK nations and one associated death. Figures published in the agency's Health Protection Report on 18 August 2026 cover specimens collected between 11 August 2025 and 1 August 2026, and 206 of the 207 cases fall in 2026. England accounts for 199 of them, followed by Scotland with six, Wales with one and Northern Ireland with one. Within England, London reported the most cases at 47, ahead of Yorkshire and the Humber at 38. UKHSA reports that 38 per cent of cases with hospitalisation information available were admitted to hospital, and that two people developed bloodstream infections. Those affected range in age from infants to people in their nineties. The agency opened its investigation in May 2026 after detecting a rise in cases sharing the same genetic strain, and is working with the Food Standards Agency on the food chain side of the inquiry.

Imported eggs are the strongest signal so far

Investigators have not confirmed a definitive source. UKHSA says the egg signal remains the strongest in the investigation to date: of the cases with information available, 83 per cent reported eating food prepared outside the home in the week before symptoms began, and five food businesses were each linked to at least two independent cases. Those premises were supplied by several sources, including egg importers. The Food Standards Agency said on 21 August that there is no evidence UK-produced eggs are affected, and that eggs carrying the British Lion mark or produced under the Laid in Britain scheme are safe to eat. UKHSA notes the outbreak is genetically related to a 2025 outbreak also linked to imported eggs.

What this means in practice

This is a food story rather than a supplement one, and no food supplement is implicated in the investigation. The current signal sits with eggs used by catering and food service businesses rather than with retail packs, which is why the FSA has directed food safety management advice at the businesses concerned. The agency's standing guidance is that thorough cooking removes the risk, and that eggs should not be washed, because shells are porous and washing can carry bacteria on the outside of the shell into the egg. On raw and lightly cooked eggs, the FSA says that people in more vulnerable groups can safely eat them if they carry the British Lion mark or come from the Laid in Britain scheme. The advice applies UK-wide, and the case numbers above cover all four nations.

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This article reports published news and research and is for information only. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied diet or medical care, and no product mentioned is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before changing what you take, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking prescribed medicines.

Sources

Originally reported by UK Health Security Agency. This article has been reviewed by Dr Tosin.

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