Dozens of people poisoned this year by salmonella-infected British eggs

Exclusive: since January at least 45 consumers have fallen ill, investigation finds, despite assurances of very low risk

Dozens of people have been poisoned after consuming British eggs contaminated with salmonella, an investigation has found, despite recent government assurances that the risk had been virtually eliminated.

At least 45 consumers have fallen ill since January this year in a major disease outbreak health officials have traced back to contaminated eggs and poultry farms. Salmonella can cause food poisoning and - in the most serious cases - can prove fatal. Public Health England (PHE), which monitors salmonella, is not aware of any deaths.