FSA issues update on Fipronil in eggs
The FSA says that fresh eggs for sale in the UK remain unaffected by Fipronil.
The FSA has updated its list of products that may contain eggs contaminated with Fipronil.
The products are still within their shelf life and most have been distributed to food manufacturers and catering outlets.
The FSA states it remains ‘very unlikely’ that there is any risk to public health. But as Fipronil is not authorised for use in animals destined for the food chain, it is tracking down implicated products and ensuring they are removed.
Heather Hancock, chairman of the FSA said: “Our advice remains clear - there’s no need to change how you buy or consume eggs. We are responding very quickly to any new information, to ensure that any products left that contain egg from the affected farms is withdrawn immediately.
“We're doing this because Fipronil is not authorised for use in food producing animals, not because we are concerned about any risk to health.”
It is believed the affected eggs may have originated from affected farms in the Netherlands before the temporary blocks were imposed. Fresh eggs in the UK remain unaffected, and most of the additional identified egg products were imported into the UK in liquid form.
The FSA said that, as a precaution, UK eggs are being tested for the presence of Fipronil, and all results to date have been clear. It added that new information from European authorities and from the UK food industry is helping them to identify implicated products quickly.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
