Chicken and Eggs Under Scrutiny as Salmonella Outbreak Spreads Across Britain and Europe

Health authorities are investigating an ongoing salmonella outbreak involving 341 confirmed cases across seven European countries, including 207 in the United Kingdom.

The outbreak involves a strain known as Salmonella Enteritidis ST11. Between May 2025 and August 2026, cases were recorded in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Austria and Denmark.

The UK accounts for 61 per cent of confirmed infections, followed by the Netherlands with 106 cases. At least 34 people have been hospitalised and one person in Britain has died. The outbreak is continuing, with further cases expected until its source is identified and brought under control, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Are chicken products responsible?

Although the outbreak has been widely associated with poultry, its precise source has not yet been confirmed.

Investigations in the Netherlands have pointed towards chicken meat, although officials stress that this finding is based on interviews with only a small number of patients. European investigators consequently regard both eggs and chicken products as possible sources.

In Britain, however, the strongest evidence currently points towards imported eggs used by restaurants, cafés and other catering businesses.

Of 114 UK patients interviewed, 95 reported eating food prepared outside their homes during the week before becoming ill. Five food businesses were visited by two or more unrelated patients, while 11 of the 24 cases linked to these premises involved people who had eaten egg dishes.

Possible cross-contamination was also identified at two establishments. Importantly, the UK Health Security Agency says there is currently no identified connection to eggs or poultry produced in the UK.

Consumers should therefore remain careful without assuming that all chicken or eggs are unsafe.

Reducing the risk at home

The Food Standards Agency recommends following normal food-safety precautions:

Keep raw chicken away from cooked and ready-to-eat foods.

Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw poultry or eggs.

Clean knives, chopping boards and work surfaces carefully.

Do not wash raw chicken, as splashing water can spread bacteria around the kitchen.

Cook poultry completely, following the instructions on the packaging.

Store chilled food below 5°C and observe use-by dates.

The FSA’s cooking guidance recommends ensuring that the centre of food reaches 70°C for two minutes or 75°C for 30 seconds. Chicken should be steaming hot throughout, with no pink meat and clear-running juices.

Young children, pregnant women, older people and those with weakened immune systems should ensure eggs eaten outside the home are thoroughly cooked. Catering establishments may use imported eggs that do not carry the British Lion or Laid in Britain assurance marks.

Salmonella symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever. Most people recover within a week, but anyone who cannot retain fluids, develops bloody diarrhoea or shows signs of dehydration should contact NHS 111.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/food-standards-agency

Figures and official advice correct as of 24 August 2026.

Why Every Food Business Should Require Recognised Food Safety Qualifications for Employees, Staff

Discover why recognised food safety and hygiene qualifications are essential for every food business, protecting customers, staff and business reputations.

Whether you're grabbing a sandwich from a café, enjoying a meal in your favourite restaurant or picking up a cake from a local bakery, or grabbing fish and chips after a hard day's work, you expect one thing above everything else, that the food you're buying is safe to eat.

Behind every successful food business should be a team that understands food safety, hygiene and their legal responsibilities. That's why recognised food safety qualifications shouldn't be viewed as an optional extra. They should be a basic requirement for everyone involved in preparing, handling or serving food.

Food poisoning affects millions of people every year. While many cases are mild, some can lead to serious illness, lengthy hospital stays and, tragically, even death. The vast majority of these incidents are entirely preventable through good food hygiene practices.

Proper training teaches staff far more than simply washing their hands. Recognised food safety courses cover essential topics including preventing cross-contamination, safe food storage temperatures, cooking and reheating procedures, allergen awareness, cleaning and sanitising equipment, pest prevention and maintaining accurate food safety records.

These are practical skills that help protect customers every single day.

Food allergies make training even more important. A simple mistake, such as using the wrong utensil or failing to understand ingredient information, could expose someone to an allergen with potentially life-threatening consequences. 

Well-trained staff are far more likely to ask the right questions, understand allergen controls and follow established procedures.

For business owners, investing in staff training is also good business sense. Environmental Health Officers expect food handlers to have appropriate knowledge of food hygiene. 

During inspections, evidence of staff training demonstrates that a business takes its responsibilities seriously and is committed to maintaining high standards.

Training also boosts confidence among employees. Staff who understand why procedures exist are more likely to follow them consistently rather than seeing them as unnecessary rules. This creates a stronger food safety culture where everyone feels responsible for protecting customers.

Customers notice professionalism too. Clean premises, knowledgeable staff and confidence when answering questions about ingredients or allergens all help build trust. In an increasingly competitive hospitality industry, reputation is everything.

It's worth remembering that recognised food safety qualifications are available at different levels, allowing businesses to match training to each employee's responsibilities. Kitchen assistants, chefs, supervisors and managers can all undertake courses appropriate to their roles, ensuring everyone has the knowledge they need.

Food businesses work incredibly hard to earn their customers' trust. That trust can take years to build but only moments to lose.

Investing in recognised food safety and hygiene qualifications is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect customers, support staff and safeguard a business's reputation. Safe food isn't just good practice, it's the foundation upon which every successful food business should be built.

The following resources will, we feel, be of benefit to you:-

https://sofht.co.uk

https://essentialfoodhygiene.co.uk

https://www.virtual-college.co.uk

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/food-standards-agency

https://careskillsacademy.co.uk