UK Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Ukrainian Eggs Reaches 78 Cases
UK health officials link 78 confirmed Salmonella cases to eggs from Ukraine's Yasensvit, and businesses were told to stop using eggs stamped 3UA1012066.
A Salmonella outbreak in the United Kingdom has been linked to eggs from Ukraine, with 78 confirmed cases dated between Dec. 17, 2024, and Sept. 26, 2026. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) asked businesses to stop using the affected eggs, which come from the producer Yasensvit and carry the stamp 3UA1012066. Bakers in the UK who use eggs in large quantities should check what they have.
What investigators found
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) tested nearly 3,000 eggs as part of a wider Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak, which involves 700 patients connected to imported eggs. In October, the bacteria were found in three samples, each of six pooled eggs, from the Ukrainian producer. Nine isolates went to a reference laboratory, where whole genome sequencing confirmed they were the same strain and were tied to human illness.
The samples were taken on Sept. 23, 2026. The eggs were reportedly laid and packaged on Aug. 23 and had an expiry date of Sept. 19, so the sampling happened four days after the best before date.
Who has been affected
Of the 78 cases, two are in Wales and the rest are in England. London accounts for 32 and the East of England for 24. Patients range from under 1 year to 99, with a median age of 30, and 39 are female. Separately, a June 2026 outbreak of six confirmed cases was linked to a restaurant in Yorkshire and Humber that used non-UK eggs in some dishes. Another count in the report puts the strain at 40 illnesses in England in 2026 and 36 in 2025.
What the company and Ukraine say
Yasensvit is part of the Ovostar Union Group and is described as one of Europe’s largest egg producers. The company earlier urged people to avoid “premature conclusions” until the facts were established. Ukraine’s State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection said it would inspect the company in Kyiv and take samples for laboratory testing.
What it means for home bakers
- Check the stamp on any eggs you have. The code to look for is 3UA1012066.
- Businesses were asked to stop using these eggs, so bakeries and caterers in the UK may be affected first.
- The source does not give advice for households or name shops that sold the eggs, so follow guidance from the FSA or FSS.
What is still unknown
It is not clear how many eggs with this code reached shops or kitchens. The Ukrainian inspection results are pending. The same report also covers travel-related Cyclospora cases linked mostly to Mexico, which are unrelated to eggs.
Source: Food Safety News
