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Salmonella risk in imported eggs Salmonella risk in imported eggs
(10 minutes later)
Salmonella is present in one in every 30 boxes of eggs imported for sale in England, a food watchdog has suggested. Salmonella is present in one in every 30 boxes of eggs imported for sale in England, a food watchdog study says.
With eggs bought in from Spain, this rises to one in eight, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA).With eggs bought in from Spain, this rises to one in eight, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Researchers tested 1,744 imported boxes on sale at small shops and discount chains in London and the North West. Using tests on 1,744 imported boxes, on sale in London and the North West, and other data, it estimated salmonella was present in 3.3% of boxes.
They found salmonella inside eggs in 10 boxes, and contaminated egg shells in 157 boxes. The FSA warned vulnerable people to cook eggs thoroughly. The FSA said the vast majority of eggs were salmonella free, but urged the vulnerable to cook eggs thoroughly.
Researchers used the their findings with other data on imported eggs to give a broader, more accurate picture, and estimated salmonella was present in 3.3% of boxes. In their tests on the 1,744 boxes, which had been on sale in small shops and discount chains, reseachers found salmonella inside eggs in 10 boxes, and contaminated egg shells in 157 boxes.
They then used their findings with other data on imported eggs to give a broader, more accurate picture, and estimated salmonella was present in 3.3% of boxes.
This survey shows that problems with salmonella in eggs have not gone away Dr Andrew WadgeThis survey shows that problems with salmonella in eggs have not gone away Dr Andrew Wadge
The samples came from eight European countries, with two-thirds coming from Spain.The samples came from eight European countries, with two-thirds coming from Spain.
Most of the contaminated eggs came from three farms in Spain, the FSA said.Most of the contaminated eggs came from three farms in Spain, the FSA said.
France had the second highest number, with one in every 170 boxes found to be contaminated.France had the second highest number, with one in every 170 boxes found to be contaminated.
Dr Andrew Wadge, director of food safety for the FSA, said: "The vast majority of eggs we eat in the UK are salmonella free.Dr Andrew Wadge, director of food safety for the FSA, said: "The vast majority of eggs we eat in the UK are salmonella free.
"However this survey shows that problems with salmonella in eggs have not gone away.""However this survey shows that problems with salmonella in eggs have not gone away."
He said the European Commission has set targets for reducing salmonella in laying flocks and making vaccination compulsory in countries with high contamination.He said the European Commission has set targets for reducing salmonella in laying flocks and making vaccination compulsory in countries with high contamination.
Only 10% of eggs sold in the UK were imported and most imported eggs were used in the catering trade, said the FSA.Only 10% of eggs sold in the UK were imported and most imported eggs were used in the catering trade, said the FSA.
But the watchdog warned the elderly, the young, pregnant women and the sick to cook eggs thoroughly to reduce any risk of food poisoning.But the watchdog warned the elderly, the young, pregnant women and the sick to cook eggs thoroughly to reduce any risk of food poisoning.