Free-Range Eggs Recalled in Belgium Over Salmonella Risk

Free-range eggs sold at major Belgian supermarket chains including Colruyt and Delhaize have been recalled due to the possible presence of salmonella. The recall, initiated by poultry producer Laerco BV in consultation with the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV), affects eggs distributed across multiple points of sale throughout Belgium.

According to VRT NWS, salmonella was detected in one of the barns of the poultry farm in Geel. “It concerns a large poultry farm in Geel, whose eggs are sold in many supermarkets and points of sale,” said Hélène Bonte, spokesperson for the FAVV.

Affected Products and Stamp Codes

Consumers are urged to check the stamp codes printed directly on the eggs. The affected free-range eggs carry one of four stamp codes: ‘2-BE-1073-01’, ‘2-BE-1073-02’, ‘2-BE-1073-03’, or ‘2-BE-1073-04’. All best-before dates between 08/05/2026 and 05/06/2026 are implicated, according to the official FAVV recall notice.

“We therefore ask to check the stamp code carefully and not to use the eggs if it concerns one of the codes,” Bonte said. Consumers who have purchased affected eggs are asked to return them to the point of purchase, where refund policies vary by store. “Each store determines for itself whether a refund follows and in what manner,” Bonte explained.

Health Risks and Symptoms

Salmonella is a bacterium that naturally occurs in the environment, particularly in raw animal products such as meat, fish, and eggs. While properly cooking eggs by boiling or frying eliminates the risk of illness, consuming raw or undercooked eggs poses a health hazard.

“If you use raw eggs to make mayonnaise or if you don’t cook them long enough, there is a risk,” Bonte warned. Symptoms of salmonellosis typically include headache, diarrhea, and nausea, resembling a regular flu. “Especially people with reduced resistance, such as children and elderly, or people with weaker health can suffer consequences,” she added.

Broader Outbreak Context

The current recall is not an isolated incident. Food Safety News reported in May that 236 people had fallen ill in a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to Laerco BV eggs, with patients ranging in age from less than 1 to 96 years old. The same stamp codes were involved in an earlier recall by Colruyt in May 2026, when the retailer pulled Everyday and Econom free-range eggs from shelves.

Salmonella was found in a dust sample taken from a Laerco BV chicken coop, and subsequent analysis revealed it was the same type detected in patients. According to a Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) notification, the eggs were also distributed to France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

This follows a previous outbreak in 2025, when Food Safety News reported that around 70 infections were linked to eggs from a different Belgian producer, Depo-Ei CV. That outbreak was traced to eggs with the code ‘1-BE-306401’.

Prevention and Regulatory Oversight

Bonte emphasized that while hygiene measures can reduce the risk of salmonella, a zero-risk situation does not exist. “The bacteria simply exists in nature,” she said. Throughout Europe, a system of self-control requires farmers to take samples from their barns, which are then tested in laboratories. “This is how salmonella can be detected,” Bonte explained.

For consumers with questions about the recall, Laerco BV can be contacted directly at info@laerco.be. The FAVV advises anyone who has consumed affected eggs and developed symptoms to seek medical attention, particularly vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

What to Watch For

As the FAVV continues its oversight of Laerco BV, measures including supervision, limited contact with flocks, and cleaning and disinfection of premises before introducing new flocks remain in place. Eggs from the affected farm are undergoing heat treatment before being placed on the market for human consumption.

Consumers who have recently purchased free-range eggs are advised to check the stamp codes on their eggs and return any affected products to the store where they were purchased. Further updates on the recall are expected as the investigation continues.