Belgian salmonella outbreak linked to Laerco eggs expands with over 300 illnesses

Belgian authorities have identified over 300 illnesses associated with salmonella-contaminated eggs from Laerco BV, prompting a widespread recall across Belgium and Europe amid ongoing investigations into potential UK linkages.

Belgian food safety authorities have now linked at least 306 illnesses to salmonella-contaminated eggs from Laerco BV in Geel, making it the country’s largest recorded outbreak of salmonellosis, according to Belgian and Dutch reports. The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain has blocked the entire poultry farm after contamination was detected in a second shed, widening an earlier recall that began in May.

The eggs were sold through several supermarket chains, including Aldi, Carrefour, Colruyt and Delhaize, and were also shipped to neighbouring markets. Precautionary recalls have been issued in eight other European countries, among them the Netherlands, France, Italy and Portugal. In the Netherlands, the food safety regulator NVWA said it had not identified any illnesses linked to the eggs.

Consumers are being urged to check shell stamp codes 2-BE-1073-01, 2-BE-1073-02, 2-BE-1073-03 and 2-BE-1073-04 and to return any affected eggs to the point of sale for a refund. Officials say some contaminated eggs may still be in households.

Authorities are also examining whether the Belgian outbreak is connected to a serious salmonella incident in the UK, where one death has been reported, though no link has yet been confirmed.