FSA: no evidence of fipronil eggs in UK
Its response came as UK processors again urged the FSA to implement a programme of random testing eggs and egg products arriving in the UK, following another fipronil outbreak in Europe.
British Lion egg processors made the call after it claimed it was disappointed that another major incident had been reported in Germany, with eggs originating from the Netherlands.
However, a spokeswoman from the FSA said: “At present, we do not have any evidence to suggest that affected eggs have been distributed to the UK. We are monitoring the situation closely and are in touch with the relevant authorities in Germany.”
Eggs in Germany contaminated
According to British Lion, initial reports from The Agriculture Ministry of Lower Saxony revealed that a large number of eggs due to be sold in Germany were found to be contaminated with fipronil.
The contaminated eggs originated from the Netherlands, the source of the original outbreak in August 2017.
According to the FSA, the original contamination in 2017 was found after fipronil was used inappropriately in cleaning products on chicken farms. The FSA estimated 700,000 contaminated eggs were imported into the UK.
Andrew Joret, chairman of the British Egg Industry Council, said the organisation had been concerned that issues following the product recalls from last year had not been thoroughly resolved.
‘Asking the FSA to take decisive action’
“With the extent of the issue unclear, we are asking the FSA to take decisive action to protect UK food businesses, and are calling for random testing of all imported eggs and egg products,” said Joret.
“Food businesses should protect themselves by specifying British Lion eggs and egg products, which are produced to the highest standards of food safety, and reassure their customers by using the British Lion mark on pack.”
Fipronil is used in more than 50 pesticide products, and is used to kill ants, beetles, cockroaches, fleas, ticks, termites and other insects, according to the National Pesticide Information Centre.
