Belgium is currently battling the largest salmonella outbreak it has ever experienced after the bacterium was found in the eggs of a major egg producer — which also distributes to the Netherlands.
The contaminated eggs have been traced back to Belgian company, Laerco BV.
The company not only supplies eggs to Belgium but also seven other countries: the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
According to HLN, at least 300 people have become ill in Belgium due to the eggs. However, they believe in reality that this number may be much higher as not everyone goes to the doctor with their symptoms.
Eggs recalled in the Netherlands
On August 10, the salmonella outbreak was traced back to the company (which had suffered oubreaks before), and a recall of the eggs was announced, RTL Nieuws reports.
In the Netherlands, this concerns free range eggs with the following codes:
- 2-BE-1073-01
- 2-BE-1073-02
- 2-BE-1073-03
- 2-BE-1073-04
If you find that you have eggs from these batches, it’s safe to say you shouldn’t eat them. Instead, you’re advised to return them to the store you bought them from.
So far, the Netherlands seems to have gotten lucky. According to the RIVM and the NVWA, no one has reportedly become sick due to salmonella.
What symptoms would you experience?
According to the RIVM, if anyone did eat the contaminated eggs, they would start to feel sick anywhere between 12 to 96 hours after ingesting.
The symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and nausea. Typically, it’s only vulnerable people such as the elderly and children who are at risk of becoming seriously ill from the bacterium.
Most people will typically see their symptoms subside after three to seven days.
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