Recently the Food Hygiene Blog reported a massive increase in cases of a certain type of salmonella across England and Wales in 2009. Regular readers will remember that it was suspected the incidents were related to eggs sourced from outside the UK, specifically one establishment in Spain.

Yesterday, the Food Standards Agency updated us on the progress of this investigation, reporting that Spanish authorities have found salmonella in a flock at Granja Avícola ‘El Angel’, in Spain. From now one, no eggs from the affected flock will be distributed until total decontamination is complete. Naturally the FSA is advising any companies that have received eggs from Granja Avícola ‘El Angel’ not to sell them and instead send them to be pasteurised. Although they have already contacting every establishment known to have purchased these eggs, they cannot be certain they have reached everybody.

As far as consumer advice goes, it is important to remember this is not a major outbreak; the majority of eggs on sale in the UK are sourced in the UK, meaning there is a much lower chance of them containing salmonella. However, as you can never be 100% certain, it is highly advisable to read up on food hygiene and eggs.