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Shoppers have been warned to throw away imported eggs contaminated with salmonella.
Health officials stepped in after tests detected Salmonella Enteritidis in batches imported from a Ukrainian food business.
The Food Standards Agency issued an urgent alert ordering businesses, caterers, wholesalers and manufacturers to withdraw and recall the products immediately.
Watchdogs made clear that eggs sold in major UK supermarkets are British-produced and are completely unaffected by the alert.
Affected Ukrainian eggs were supplied primarily to wholesalers and the catering trade, but officials warned some may have reached independent convenience stores and small shops.
Anyone who has purchased the affected eggs is urged not to eat them and to dispose of them at home.
Jacquelyn McCormick, head of incidents at the Food Standards Agency, said: "We have identified Salmonella Enteritidis in eggs that were imported from a business in Ukraine and taken urgent action to protect public health and advised that any affected product on the UK market is withdrawn and recalled.
"It is important to say however that eggs produced in the UK are not affected.
"Eggs bought in major supermarkets are produced in the UK, and therefore not affected by this outbreak.
"This issue relates specifically to eggs from one business in Ukraine, which are primarily supplied through wholesalers and the catering supply chain, but also sold at small retailers."
The UK Health Security Agency uncovered the contamination during sampling for a broader investigation into salmonella linked to imported eggs.
Whole genome sequencing revealed that the Ukrainian strain, known as t5.8998, is linked to 36 confirmed salmonella cases in England in 2026.
Scientists confirmed the strain is genetically distinct from other strains under investigation since a general probe in August 2026.
Hannah Charles, lead epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said: "Most Salmonella infections cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever, which usually resolve without treatment after a few days of illness.
"However, the infection can occasionally cause more serious illness, including sepsis, requiring hospital admission, particularly in young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems."
Health bosses advised that thoroughly cooked eggs handled hygienically do not present a food safety risk.
Vulnerable groups, such as infants, young children, pregnant people and older adults, are urged to only eat raw or lightly cooked eggs carrying the British Lion mark or produced under the Laid in Britain scheme.