More than 700,000 contaminated eggs have been shipped from the Netherlands to the UK, leading major supermarkets such as Sainsbury's and Waitrose to urgently recall stocks of fresh sandwiches, quiche and salads.
The eggs have been found to contain fipronil, a chemical that can affect the kidneys, liver and thyroid glands. It is considered "moderately hazardous" by the World Health Organisation.
However, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) says the eggs are "unlikely" to be a risk to public health when consumed in low doses.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
It said: "It is very unlikely that these eggs pose a risk to public health, but as Fipronil is unauthorised for use in food-producing animals we have acted with urgency to ensure that consumers are protected."
The agency originally estimated that 21,000 contaminated eggs had been shipped to the UK, some of which may have been consumed, but today substantially increased the figure.
Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons, among other retailers, have recalled the likes of mayonnaise, salads and sandwiches following the news, The Independent reports.
Aldi and Lidl stores in Germany have already taken millions of eggs off shelves over fears they are also tainted with traces of the chemical.
A full list of the recalled products can be found on Sky News.
According to the Daily Telegraph, fresh eggs are largely unaffected, "with contaminated eggs instead present in processed foods in which they are one ingredient among many others, mostly used in sandwich fillings or other chilled foods".
