Tesco Scotch Eggs

In what appears to be another salmonella-related scare involving food items in the UK, Tesco and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have issued separate advisories announcing a massive recall of two popular Scottish egg products in stores due to potential salmonella contamination.

This advisory follows a recent slew of food product recalls in the UK for the same contamination reason.

Which Scotch Egg Products Are Affected?

In an advisory from the FSA, the involved products are Wall's The Classic Scotch Egg and Wall's 2 Classic Scotch Eggs, both produced by The Compleat Food Group, with an expiry date of July 2.

'We are voluntarily recalling the following Wall's products with a use-by date of July 2 2025, only, due to a potential risk of salmonella. If you have purchased either product, please do not eat it. Return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund - no receipt is required. This is an isolated incident and no other Wall's products are affected,' the attached statement from Compleat said.

FSA stated that symptoms caused by salmonella can usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

Similarly, Tesco released a separate statement regarding the food recall, encouraging its customers to return the item to their nearest Tesco store, where they are entitled to a full refund.

Other Latest Salmonella-Related Recalls

Earlier last week, FSA released a recall for Orgenism's Eggshell Membrane Capsules, which were sold on Amazon in the UK. In this particular case, the organisation highlighted that consumers should email the company to request a free pre-paid returns envelope and a full refund.

It also noted that the Salmonella strain associated with this recall is more serious and can be potentially difficult to treat.

'The Salmonella found produces extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), and is resistant to several antibiotics (fluoroquinolones, tetracycline and Fosfomycin), making it more difficult to treat,' FSA said.

In the same week, they have also released a recall alert for Grape Tree's Raw Unsalted Macadamia Nuts products with the expiry date of May 2026.

'If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should stay away from work, school or nursery until you have stopped having symptoms for at least 48 hours to avoid passing it on to others,' they stated when detailing what consumers should do if they consumed the recalled products and develop salmonella-related symptoms.

Why Egg-Related Products Are Prone to Salmonella

Egg-related products are particularly prone to salmonella contamination because the bacteria can infect eggs internally while they form inside hens, or contaminate shells through contact with droppings.

Undercooked or raw eggs pose a higher risk, particularly in dishes such as mayonnaise or desserts. Poor handling and storage can allow salmonella to multiply rapidly.

Although safety measures, such as the British Lion mark, have reduced risks by vaccinating hens and improving hygiene standards, outbreaks still occur. To stay safe, it's essential to store eggs in the refrigerator, cook them thoroughly, and follow use-by dates to prevent foodborne illness.

Recent salmonella-related food recalls underscore the ongoing importance of maintaining strict food safety standards and promoting public awareness of these issues. Even with improved hygiene practices and vaccination programmes, contamination can still occur anywhere along the supply chain.

These recalls serve as a reminder for producers to maintain rigorous quality checks and for consumers to handle and cook eggs and related products safely.