Imported eggs are the most likely cause of the recent salmonella outbreak in the UK which has affected 207 people and resulted in one death, according to a new government investigation.

While investigations remain ongoing, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated that the consumption of dishes made with imported eggs is currently the "strongest" source and origin of the contamination.

UKHSA outlined that the majority of those affected are believed to have caught salmonella when eating out rather than dining at home.

The agency also noted that "there is no identified link" between this salmonella outbreak and UK-produced eggs or poultry at this time.

The investigation identified 199 confirmed cases in England, six in Scotland, and one each in Wales and Northern Ireland between August 11, 2025 and August 1, 2026.

England

In light of the investigation, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) called for stronger checks on food entering the UK.

NFU poultry board chair Will Raw said that it was "hugely concerning that eggs from abroad are being linked to a serious outbreak of salmonella in the UK".

He argued that food produced to standards that would be illegal in the UK should not be allowed on the domestic market.

Raw urged the government to establish a more robust testing regime for imported eggs.

He called for the introduction of core production standards that would apply equally for domestic and imported food.

Scotland

Meanwhile, NFU Scotland similarly called for imported food to meet standards equivalent to those required of Scottish and UK producers.

NFU Scotland poultry chair Matthew Steel claimed that imported eggs can be difficult for consumers to identify when they are used in foodservice and catering.

Steel noted that country-of-origin labelling should be extended beyond products in supermarkets following this outbreak.

He also warned that UK farmers could be undercut by cheaper imports produced under different standards, particularly as the UK moves away from colony cage production.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, MP Carla Lockhart described the outbreak as "a wake-up call" for the UK government.

The Democratic Unionist Party spokesperson for agriculture said: "British farmers and food producers have to adhere to some of the highest production, welfare, food safety and traceability standards in the world.

"It is simply outrageous that food produced to lower standards, or standards which would be considered illegal for our own producers, can still find a route onto the UK market.

"That is unfair to our farmers, undermines consumer confidence and, as this outbreak demonstrates, can have potentially serious consequences for public health," Lockhart added.