Salmonella cases linked to imported eggs have risen to 549, with UK-produced eggs still showing no evidence of being affected.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is investigating three Salmonella Enteritidis clusters, with evidence continuing to point towards imported eggs as a possible common source.
The latest figures, covering cases reported up to 7 September, show 322 cases and one death linked to the largest cluster. A further 186 cases have been linked to a second cluster, while a third has recorded 41 cases and one death.
UKHSA said cases continued to be associated with eating at food outlets including cafés, restaurants and takeaways.
Importantly for UK egg producers, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said there was no evidence that UK-produced eggs are affected.
Professor Ian Young, FSA chief scientific adviser, said investigations had “identified links to imported eggs”, although the exact causes of the outbreaks had not yet been identified.
The investigation remains ongoing, with UKHSA stressing that the overall risk to the public remains low.
Food safety advice for vulnerable consumers has been tightened around the source of eggs. Infants, young children, pregnant people and older adults are advised to eat raw or lightly cooked eggs only where they carry the British Lion mark or are produced under the Laid in Britain assurance scheme.
The latest figures represent a further increase from the 474 cases reported on 25 August, when UKHSA was already investigating three clusters.
UKHSA said it would continue to investigate the source of the outbreaks and follow up further cases.