About 700,000 Dutch and Belgian eggs that were distributed in products like salads, quiches, and sandwiches, to Britain, have been recalled because of a contamination scare (it was initially thought that only 21,000 eggs were affected). The contaminate is the insecticide Fipronil, and if consumed in large doses it can be harmful to humans. The products were recalled from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Asda, and Morrisons. 1

The Food Standards Agency in the UK has stressed that there is no reason to panic as they moved quickly to recall the products.

Adverse reactions from consuming Fipronil include sweating, nausea, vomiting, head and stomach pain, dizziness and seizures. The WHO classifies Fipronil as a “Class II moderately hazardous pesticide.”

The FSA said:

“While in some European countries eggs containing Fipronil residues have been sold as fresh eggs, in the UK this is not the case. It is likely that the number of eggs that have come to the UK is closer to 700,000 than the 21,000 we previously believed had been imported. However, as this represents 0.007 per cent of the eggs we consume in the UK every year, it remains the case that it is very unlikely that there is any risk to public health from consuming these foods.”1
Although fresh eggs are not believed to be affected Aldi and Lidl stores in Germany, as well as some Dutch supermarkets, have taken millions of eggs off their shelves as a precautionary measure.

The scare began in the Netherlands and Belgium. It’s believed that a disinfectant used in products on chicken farms is at fault. However, in the EU, Fipronil isn’t authorized for use near food-producing animals.

Ian Jones, chairman of British Lion Egg Processors, said:

“This is just the latest of a number of food safety issues connected to eggs produced outside of the UK in recent years. As we approach Brexit, shoppers are growing increasingly concerned about the ingredients used in manufactured food and now more than ever want and deserve transparency on food packaging.”1

Please see the list of recalled products below and if you have loved ones in the EU, pass the info along:1

Sainsbury’s Ham and Egg Salad – 240g (Use by August 9-14)

Sainsbury’s Potato and Egg Salad – 300g (Use by August 9-14)

Morrison’s Potato and Egg Salad – 250g (Use by August 13)

Morrisons Egg and Cress Sandwich – Sold in Morrisons Cafe only (Use by August 11)

Morrisons Cafe Sandwich Selection – Sold in Morrisons Cafe only (Use by August 11)

Essential Waitrose free range egg mayonnaise filler – 240g (Use by August 16)

Essential Waitrose free range reduced fat egg mayonnaise filler – 170g (Use by August 14)

Essential Waitrose free range egg and bacon filler – 170g (Use by August 14)

Asda Baby potato and free range egg salad (Use by August 9-14)

Asda Spinach and free range egg snack pot (Use by August 9-14)

Asda FTG Ham and Cheddar Ploughman’s salad bowl (Use by Aug 9-13)

Sources and References

  1. Independent, August 11, 2017.