Warnings as eggs linked to salmonella outbreak

Imported eggs are being linked to a salmonella outbreak in the UK.

The UK Government’s Health Security Agency has confirmed that in the last year alone more than 200 people have become ill and one person has sadly died as a result of the food poisoning.

Experts believe people have been infected while eating out with the source thought to have come from eggs from outside of the UK. 

Since the 1990s all UK chickens have been vaccinated against salmonella and all eggs with the red lion symbol on them comply with strict safety standards.

Mark Gibson, Partner at Digby Brown and head of the Product Liability department, has extensive experience in helping salmonella victims with food poisoning claims. 

He said: “This is very worrying but it’s not the first time we have seen an outbreak linked to eggs. 

“Most shell eggs sold in supermarkets are British-produced and marked with the British Lion scheme. 

“However, imported eggs are widely used in restaurants and are also widely used in processed foods such as cakes, pasta, quiches, sandwiches and ready meals.

“We have helped a large number of Scottish people injured after consuming raw or undercooked dishes containing imported eggs at restaurants and hotels. 

“Imported eggs are safe when they’ve been cooked thoroughly but can contain the salmonella pathogen when served raw or lightly cooked.”

How serious is salmonella?

While some people will get better on their own salmonella poisoning can be incredibly serious and in some cases fatal with infants and the elderly most at risk.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning usually develop between 12 and 72 hours after being infected and can include: 
•    Fever
•    Stomach pain or cramps
•    Vomiting and diarrhoea 
•    Headaches 

Mark added: “It’s really important if you think you’ve been made ill by something you’ve eaten you speak to your doctor for medical advice. 

“As well as ensuring your immediate welfare they can run tests which can confirm the pathogen linked to the illness and help prove it was the result of a specific food.

“Foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella do not immediately cause illness as soon as food is consumed. 

“This delay is known as “the incubation period” and the source of the illness could potentially be anything eaten by the consumer several days prior to the illness.

“Your doctor might run some tests to confirm the illness has been caused by pathogen and not a viral illness.

“Once this has been confirmed there is a better chance of linking the illness to a specific food source. 

“Medical evidence like this not only ensures your health and safety, it can help strengthen a food poisoning claim.”

How do I know if I can make a claim?

There isn’t much difference between getting food poisoning from a restaurant or a shop where you’ve bought and eaten prepackaged food like sandwiches.

If you’ve become sick after eating something it can be very upsetting but there are two laws in place to help protect consumers.

Mark said: “The Consumer Rights and Protection Acts hold food producers and retailers liable where the product they’ve supplied doesn’t meet the safety standards people are entitled to. 

“As with all legal cases you have to prove the source of the infection.

“Medical evidence helps prove the illness was caused by a foodborne pathogen and not a different type of infection, but there are other ways this can be done. 

“If a producer or retailer believes the food they have supplied isn’t safe they have a legal obligation to take action.

“This can include removing the products from sale and alerting the relevant food safety authorities.

“National government organisation like Food Standard Scotland and the UK Food Standards Industry post product contamination alerts. 

“Public authorities also carry out food surveys contacting affected consumers and if a significant number of those affected ate the same product this will help establish the most likely cause. 

“If you think you’ve been affected by food poisoning you should always seek medical attention first and independent legal advice so you know what option are available to you.”