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700,000 contaminated eggs distributed to Britain
The products affected are processed foods in which egg is in one ingredient among many others.
Supermarkets withdraw products over Fiponil concerns

The number of eggs contaminated with Fipronil that have come to the UK from the Netherlands is closer to 700,000 than the 21,000 previously thought, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed.

The products affected are processed foods in which egg is one ingredient among many others, mostly used in sandwich fillings or other chilled foods. It is not thought that fresh eggs are affected.

While some of these products have a short shelf life and will have already been consumed, the FSA identified some that were still within the expiry date. These products have now been withdrawn by the businesses involved.

“I’m confident that acting quickly is the right thing to do. The number of eggs involved is small in proportion to the number of eggs we eat, and it is very unlikely that there is a risk to public health,” said Heather Hancock, chairman of the FSA.

“Based on the available evidence there is no need for people to change the way they consume or cook eggs. However, Fipronil is not legally allowed for use near food-producing animals and it shouldn’t be there.”

According to the FSA, the figure of 700,000 represents 0.007 per cent of the eggs consumed in the UK every year. The majority of eggs (85 per cent) are laid here and there is currently no evidence to suggest that they are contaminated of that Fipronil has been used inappropriately.

The FSA stressed that the decision to withdraw the affected products is not due to food safety concerns, but is based on the fact that Fipronil is not authorised for use in food-producing animals.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.