UK health officials have launched an investigation into a salmonella outbreak that has left one person dead and more than 200 people ill, with imported eggs emerging as the strongest potential link. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed 207 cases connected to the outbreak between August 2025 and August 2026, with all but one recorded this year. Of those affected, 199 were in England, including 47 cases in London and 38 in Yorkshire and Humber. 

Those infected range from babies to people aged 90, while 38% of cases where information was available resulted in hospital admission. Two people also developed bloodstream infections.

Investigators believe the cases are connected because testing found the same specific strain of Salmonella Enteritidis, suggesting a common source of contamination. While the exact source has not yet been confirmed, egg consumption is currently the strongest lead. 

Of 114 people interviewed, 83% reported eating food prepared outside their homes in the week before becoming ill. Five food businesses were visited by multiple unrelated cases, linking 24 infections in total. Eleven of those people reported eating dishes containing eggs, while investigators found the businesses received eggs from multiple suppliers, including importers. 

However, officials have stressed that there is currently no identified link to UK-produced eggs or poultry. The strain involved has also been genetically linked to a separate salmonella outbreak in 2025 which was associated with imported eggs. 

The distinction has been picked up by people online, with one commenter reminding shoppers not to panic over British eggs.

“Only applies to imported eggs, most supermarket eggs are British produced! Lion stamped are fine, if no stamp check for a code that starts with 1UK***** first 2 letters tell you the country of production,” they wrote.

The Food Standards Agency has advised that thoroughly cooked eggs handled hygienically should not present a food safety risk. Infants, young children, pregnant people and older adults are advised to only eat raw or runny eggs if they carry the British Lion mark or are produced under the Laid in Britain assurance scheme.

Salmonella can cause stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever, with symptoms typically developing within 12 to 72 hours of infection.

For now, investigations into the source and origin of the contamination remain ongoing, while officials maintain that the risk to the general public is low.

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