The Shell Shocked report

The Shell Shocked report, published by the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC), highlights the growing risks facing UK food businesses and consumers as egg imports rise sharply.

Since 2021, total egg imports into the UK have increased by 60%, rising from around 1 billion to 1.6 billion eggs per year. Much of this growth is coming from countries operating under different regulatory frameworks, where food safety systems and animal welfare standards may not match those required of British producers.

Egg-related food safety and fraud across Europe

Recent incidents across Europe demonstrate the potential risks associated with imported eggs and egg products produced under different standards. 

Download the report (.pdf file).

The following chronology groups notable incidents by issue type.

1. 2016: Multi-country European salmonella outbreak
   Issue type: Salmonella
   Countries affected: Poland, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, UK
   Eggs traced to a Polish egg packing centre caused widespread cross-border infections.
2. 2021–2022: Spain-linked multi-country salmonella outbreak
   Issue type: Salmonella
   Countries affected: Spain, France, Netherlands, UK, Scandinavia
   A major ongoing Salmonella outbreak linked to Spanish eggs resulted in 272 cases, 25 hospitalisations, and 2 deaths. Contaminated eggs were reportedly diverted to processing rather than be destroyed.
3. 2023-2025: Netherlands Salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated feed
   Issue type: Salmonella
   Outbreak linked to eggshells from Salmonella-positive flocks inadequately treated before being added to poultry feed. The outbreak, which began in the first half of 2023, resulted in 151 cases in 2023, 27 in 2024, and 31 in 2025.
4. 2024: Poland - Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs exported to UK
   Issue type: Salmonella
   Countries affected: UK
   More than 200 cases of Salmonella reported linked to eggs imported from Poland to the UK. The FSA warned food businesses about using Polish eggs.
   FSA Head of Incidents Tina Potter stated:
   “Food businesses must maintain rigorous hygiene and sourcing practices, particularly when using imported products.”
5. 2024: Sweden - major retail Salmonella egg recall
   Issue type: Salmonella
   Major Swedish retailers ICA, Axfood and Lidl recalled eggs after salmonella detection in production environments.
6. 2024-2025: Sweden ongoing Salmonella recall linked to Ukrainian imports
   Issue type: Salmonella
   Salmonella detected in eggs imported from Ukraine in 2024. Swedish officials continued to investigate Salmonella outbreaks linked to eggs from Ukraine through 2024 and 2025, with more than 100 cases recorded.
7. 2024: France – major Salmonella egg outbreak and recall (c. 3m eggs)
   Issue type: Salmonella
   Millions of eggs were recalled across French distribution networks and 100 illnesses were recorded due to Salmonella contamination.
8. 2025: France - major Salmonella egg outbreak and recall (c.500,000 eggs)
   Issue type: Salmonella
   500,000 eggs recalled across four major French retailers.
9. 2025: Belgium - Salmonella egg outbreak linked to laying farm
   Issue type: Salmonella
   A Salmonella outbreak traced to a Belgian farm was identified as the cause of illness for 67 people who were recorded being taken ill.
10. 2025: UK – Salmonella egg outbreak linked to imported egg distributor
    Issue type: Salmonella
    123 confirmed illnesses linked to a single imported egg distributor were reported between May – October 2025.

11. 2017: Belgium and Netherlands - Fipronil chemical contamination scandal
    Issue type: Illegal chemical use / contamination / fraud concealment
    Countries affected: Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, France, UK and others
    A major European-wide food incident erupted when eggs were found to be contaminated with fipronil, a veterinary insecticide prohibited for use in food-producing animals.
    A pest control company had illegally applied the substance in laying hen houses on the continent. Contaminated eggs entered retail and processed food supply chains across Europe.
    Tens of millions of eggs were withdrawn and hundreds of processed food lines recalled (sandwiches, salads, baked goods, sauces, egg ingredients). Criminal prosecutions followed. It is estimated that the recalls cost €150 million and affected 24 EU countries and 40 in total.
    UK FSA statement at the time:
    “The FSA is committed to ensuring that food is safe, and that UK consumers have food they can trust.”
12. 2025: Ukraine: banned antibiotic residues detected in exported eggs
    Issue type: Veterinary drug residues
    Countries affected: Poland, Slovakia, Netherlands, Latvia (RASFF alerts)
    Multiple RASFF alerts reported banned antibiotic residues (nitrofuran metabolite) in Ukrainian eggs entering EU trade channels impacting several countries.
    French Agriculture Minister Anne Genevard warned:
    “Eggs from Ukraine containing banned residues and produced in illegal cage systems threaten both consumer safety and market integrity. Stronger border controls and potential prohibitions are necessary.”