Salmonella warning issued over imported eggs from Ukraine

Food safety officials have issued an urgent warning about certain eggs being sold in the UK, with shoppers being told to check a specific code before eating them.

Eggs are a staple in most people's kitchens, whether you're scrambling a couple for breakfast, making an omelette or baking a cake.

However, anyone who's recently picked up a box from a smaller supermarket or independent shop might want to take a closer look at what's inside, in the wake of salmonella cases across the country.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have issued a warning after salmonella was identified in eggs imported from Ukraine.

The affected eggs were produced by Yasensvit Ltd, a company based in Kyiv, and may have been distributed to catering businesses or sold through smaller retail outlets across the UK.

The eggs have been imported from Ukraine (Getty Stock)

Check the individual eggs

Officials are urging consumers to look out for the code 3UA1012066, which is stamped directly onto the eggshell.

Anyone who finds eggs bearing this code has been advised not to eat them and to dispose of them safely at home.

There’s an important reason why checking the individual eggs matters more than looking at the packaging.

According to FSS, some of the affected products may have been repacked by businesses in the UK before being sold to customers.

This means the name of the company or packing centre printed on the box might be different from that of the original Ukrainian producer.

The code on the shell is therefore the most reliable way of identifying whether your eggs are affected.

Consumers are advised to check the individual stamp on each egg as the packaging may have been changed (Getty Stock)

Major supermarkets are not involved

Fortunately, the warning doesn't apply to all eggs imported from Ukraine, and officials have confirmed that the affected products are not sold through major supermarket chains.

However, they believe some may have reached consumers through independent retailers and convenience stores, while most are thought to have been supplied to the catering industry.

Food businesses have also been told to take immediate action if they discover any of the affected eggs in their stock.

They must stop selling or using them, remove them from sale and arrange a recall if the eggs have already been sold directly to customers.

Any remaining affected stock should be disposed of safely.

The warning comes amid ongoing concerns about salmonella, a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

Salmonella cases have been spreading across the country (Getty Stock)

Symptoms of salmonella

Symptoms of an infection commonly include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever, with some people also experiencing nausea or vomiting.

While many people recover without treatment, salmonella can cause more serious illness in vulnerable groups, including young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Anyone experiencing symptoms has been advised to stay away from work, school or nursery until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours, helping to prevent the infection spreading to others.

The latest alert follows wider concerns about salmonella linked to eggs in the UK.

In September, hundreds of salmonella cases had been investigated in connection with eggs, highlighting the importance of proper food handling and cooking.

FSS has also reminded consumers that eggs which are thoroughly cooked and handled hygienically should not present a food safety risk.

However, any eggs bearing the affected code should still be thrown away rather than cooked and eaten.

For infants, young children, pregnant people and older adults, officials recommend only eating raw or lightly cooked eggs if they have been produced in the UK under a recognised assurance scheme.

This includes eggs carrying the British Lion mark, which indicates that they have been produced under specific food safety standards.