Warning to hospitality businesses over imported eggs

UK hospitality operators have been warned about a rising number of imported eggs.

The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) is concerned that with egg imports growing significantly since the start of the year, there could be an influx of those produced to lower food safety standards than the British Lion.

The trade association said this could increase the type of food safety issues that have regularly been seen across Europe, particularly as a major salmonella outbreak in the UK was linked to imported Polish eggs last year.

The BEIC is calling on all food businesses to check the eggs they’re sourcing, particularly if they are serving vulnerable groups, such as babies, young children, pregnant women and older people, to ensure that they meet British Lion standards, which are approved by the Food Standards Agency.

Nick Allen, chief executive of the BEIC, said: “We’re seeing a worrying rise in imported eggs entering the UK, many from countries where food safety issues have arisen. These eggs don’t get close to matching the safety standards of British Lion eggs. Last year, eggs from Poland were directly linked to salmonella cases here in the UK, and there are ongoing serious issues in Europe involving eggs from Ukraine and elsewhere.

“If you’re serving vulnerable customers – from care home residents to pregnant women and young children – it is never a good time to take risks with food safety, but the risks are even higher at present. The advice from the Food Standards Agency is very clear, British Lion eggs are approved to be served runny to these groups. Imported eggs are not.

“We are urging food businesses to check their egg sourcing very carefully. Their reputation, and more importantly, their customers’ health, could depend on it.”

The BEIC recommends that food businesses specify British Lion eggs and egg products in supply contracts; check labelling and provenance when sourcing eggs, including processed or liquid formats; and avoid imported eggs for dishes served runny or lightly cooked.