Vulnerable groups warned to avoid runny eggs when eating out amid Salmonella outbreak

People considered more vulnerable to illness are being advised to avoid undercooked and runny eggs when eating outamid a growing Salmonella outbreak in the UK.

The warning applies particularly to children under five, people aged over 65, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions.

The Food Standards Agency has also advised vulnerable people to avoid freshly prepared foods that may contain uncooked eggs, including products such as mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce and soufflés, unless they are made with properly cooked eggs.

However, the advice does not mean people need to avoid eggs altogether.

The FSA says well-cooked eggs from restaurants, cafés and takeaways are safe to eat.

The warning comes after the UK Health Security Agency declared a national outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning, with more than 200 cases reported and one death.

Investigators believe imported eggs or foods containing imported eggs may be linked to the outbreak.

Genetic testing has indicated that the infections are connected to the same outbreak, while investigations into individual cases have identified similarities with previous outbreaks involving imported eggs.

The FSA has stressed that consumers can continue buying British eggs from supermarkets, with British laying hens vaccinated against common strains of Salmonella. The agency says there is currently no link between those supermarket eggs and the outbreak described in the latest warning.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Symptoms can include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever.

People can become infected by eating contaminated food that has not been cooked properly or through cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods.

Most people recover from Salmonella infection without needing hospital treatment. However, the infection can be more serious for young children, older people and people with weakened immune systems.

Health officials are therefore urging people in higher-risk groups to take extra care when ordering food containing eggs outside the home.

For anyone eating at a restaurant, café or takeaway, the safest option during the current outbreak is to ask for eggs to be fully cooked, particularly if they are pregnant, elderly, very young or otherwise vulnerable.

The investigation into the outbreak is continuing as health authorities work to identify the source and prevent further infections.