Salmonella outbreak – look for the Lion

The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) is urging caterers and consumers to look for the British Lion mark on eggs in the wake of an outbreak of salmonella food poisoning believed to be linked to imported eggs.

According to the Council, the British Lion Code of Practice has effectively eliminated salmonella from British eggs and the type of salmonella identified, Salmonella enteritidis PT14b has not been found in UK eggs. However, it has previously been linked to salmonella outbreaks from imported eggs.

Andrew Joret, chairman of the BEIC, comments: “It is unbelievable that British consumers are still being put at risk by imported eggs. The British egg industry, through the Lion mark, has invested heavily in ensuring that the eggs we sell to consumers are safe, yet we are constantly undermined by eggs that come into the country which are not fit to eat. Caterers should be using due diligence and ensuring that they only serve eggs which conform to Lion standards.”