Shell shock What the contamination means for shoppers

Q Where did the eggs come from and how did they become contaminated?

A The affected eggs originate from around 180 farms in the Netherlands that bought poultry from a supplier which used an illegal insecticide to treat red mite in chickens. The chemical, called fipronil, is not authorised for use as a veterinary medicine or pesticide around food producing animals as it can make its way into birds and eggs.

Q I’ve bought food which may be infected, should I eat it?

A The FSA has said it is “unlikely” that eating infected eggs would pose a threat to human health. It told the Daily Telegraph

that it is up to consumers to decide if they want to eat contaminated food or not. In large quantities, fipronil is considered to be “moderately hazardous”, according to the World Health Organisation.

Q Can I get a refund if I don’t want to eat it?

A Supermarkets are not obliged to offer refunds for withdrawn food but may choose to as a gesture of goodwill.

Q What are the effects of fipronil?

A Reported adverse effects include sweating, nausea, vomiting, head and stomach pain, dizziness and seizures, according to the US National Pesticide Information Centre.