Here is what we know so far about the recent outbreak of salmonella in the UK. Since August 2026, you may have seen reports of a Salmonella outbreak affecting hundreds of people across the UK. It has probably left you wondering: are the eggs I buy safe? Do I need to stop eating eggs until the outbreak is under control?
This blog will dive into this, hopefully answering your questions and putting your mind at ease.
What is the current situation?
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), working with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and other public health organisations, is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella.
The investigation is ongoing, and health authorities are continuing to examine where the contamination originated and how the affected food may have entered the supply chain.
What is Salmonella?
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause a food-borne infection called salmonellosis. It can be found in contaminated foods, including eggs, poultry, and meat, and can also spread through poor food hygiene or contact with contaminated environments.
Symptoms of Salmonella commonly include:
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach cramps
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
These usually develop between 12 and 72 hours after becoming infected. Symptoms can vary from person to person and may develop after eating contaminated food. For many otherwise healthy people, Salmonella infection is unpleasant but usually gets better without specific treatment. However, it can cause more serious illness in vulnerable people, including bloodstream infections and sepsis.
What should I do if I think I have Salmonella?
If you develop symptoms from the list above, make sure you drink plenty of fluids to reduce the risk of dehydration. If your symptoms are severe, you are concerned about your condition, or you are in a higher-risk group, seek medical advice.
You should also take extra care not to spread the infection to other people by practising good hand hygiene. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food. And if you are unwell with diarrhoea or vomiting, avoid preparing food for other people where possible.
Are UK eggs safe?
The FSA has stated that there is currently no evidence that UK-produced eggs are affected by this outbreak.
Eggs carrying the British Lion mark or produced under the Laid in Britain scheme have specific assurances relevant to Salmonella control. This is reassuring, but it’s still important to follow normal food-safety advice around storage, handling, and cooking.
Which eggs are affected by Salmonella?
Investigations so far suggest that the outbreaks may be linked to eggs imported into the UK from abroad. The eggs affected appear to have been particularly associated with food prepared outside the home, including food served at small cafés, restaurants, and takeaway businesses.
Importantly, the FSA says there is currently no evidence that UK-produced eggs are affected by this outbreak. It is also important to stress that the investigation is ongoing. Although imported eggs are the suspected source, it is not implying that every imported egg is contaminated.
Should I stop eating eggs?
For most people, there is no need to stop eating eggs altogether. The current advice from UK health authorities is that the risk to the general public remains low. However, extra care is recommended for people who are more vulnerable to serious illness. This includes:
- Babies and young children
- Pregnant people
- Older adults
- People with weakened immune systems
Should I continue eating out?
If you’re eating out, particularly if you are in a vulnerable group, consider avoiding dishes containing raw or lightly cooked egg, such as:
- Homemade or fresh mayonnaise
- Hollandaise sauce
- Chocolate or other mousses made with raw egg
- Soft or runny eggs
- Other dishes where the egg has not been thoroughly cooked
This doesn’t mean you need to avoid restaurants altogether. Choosing food where eggs have been thoroughly cooked is a sensible precaution.
How can I reduce my risk of Salmonella?
There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of Salmonella and other food-borne illnesses.
- Cook eggs thoroughly (no runny whites)
Cooking eggs thoroughly reduces the risk from Salmonella. If you’re cooking for someone who is particularly vulnerable, make sure the egg is thoroughly cooked rather than runny or lightly cooked.
- Wash your hands
Wash your hands properly before preparing food and always after handling raw eggs, raw meat, or poultry.
- Follow storage instructions
Store food according to the instructions on the packaging and don’t eat food that is past its use-by date.
- Avoid cross-contamination
Keep raw foods away from ready-to-eat foods and clean utensils, work surfaces, and equipment properly after preparing raw ingredients.
- Take extra care when eating out
If you are pregnant, elderly, very young or immunocompromised, choose dishes containing thoroughly cooked eggs when eating out.
Should you be worried?
The news of hundreds of cases and the reports of deaths is understandably concerning. However, the official advice is that the risk to the general public remains low. The UKHSA, FSA, local authorities and other agencies are continuing to investigate the outbreak, trace potential sources, and put measures in place to reduce further infections.
Health authorities are actively monitoring cases and using detailed genetic testing to identify related infections, which is an important part of how food-borne outbreaks are detected and investigated. Rather than panicking about eggs or avoiding them altogether, the best approach is to stay informed, follow official advice and practise good food hygiene. You can also keep up to date via our social media channels here and our latest blog posts.
The key takeaway
The current Salmonella outbreak is being investigated as a possible result of imported eggs entering the UK food chain, with cases particularly associated with food eaten outside the home.
There is currently no evidence that UK-produced eggs are affected, and the overall risk to the general public is considered low.
For most people, there is no need to stop eating eggs. But if you are particularly vulnerable to food-borne illness, take extra care with raw or lightly cooked eggs especially when eating out.
As the investigation continues, the most important thing is to rely on information from trusted sources, which you can access here.
