An investigation has revealed that delays in enforcing post-Brexit border checks may have put British consumers at risk of consuming diseased meat. Internal discussions among UK health and food safety officials acknowledged the absence of border inspections, raising concerns over public health risks.
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) has previously documented failures in handling outbreaks of drug-resistant salmonella, particularly in supermarket chicken imported from Poland. Between 2020 and 2024, illnesses linked to contaminated poultry and eggs peaked as post-Brexit border controls were repeatedly postponed. Documents seen by TBIJ show that in late 2023, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and its devolved partners admitted that unchecked meat imports posed a health risk.
Meeting minutes confirm that ‘no current border controls’ were in place and that physical and paperwork checks on imported goods would not begin until the following year. Officials noted that while border controls were anticipated, the FSA determined it could not rely on their implementation as a control measure.
Helen Buckingham, a trade policy expert, highlighted a National Audit Office report criticizing the UK’s border management, stating, “We didn’t do any checks on EU imports at our border control posts for three years.” She described delays in enforcing inspections on EU goods as “risky” for public and animal health, weakening the UK’s defenses against foodborne threats.
Salmonella, a bacteria commonly found in poultry, is a leading cause of food poisoning and can be life-threatening for vulnerable groups, including infants and the elderly. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever. Public health concerns have grown as cases of salmonella, E. coli, and campylobacter infections have surged in recent years, leading to record-high hospital admissions.
In 2023, the European Union issued an alert linking over 330 salmonella cases across several member states, including the UK. Victims included young children and infants, with Poland identified as a key source of contamination. UK authorities, alarmed by the ongoing impact of Polish poultry imports, reported at least 2,680 human infections and multiple deaths linked to contaminated products. The FSA and the UK’s chief veterinary officer formally urged Polish authorities to take further action.
Despite phased implementation of post-Brexit border checks in 2023, Buckingham noted that pre-Brexit, EU animal products were not routinely inspected due to the free circulation of goods. While some inspections are now in place—ranging from 1% to 30% of imports—concerns remain that funding cuts to port inspection staff could lead to large volumes of substandard meat entering the UK.
Polish poultry has been a particular concern. EU data revealed that in 2024, 138 consignments of exported Polish chicken contained salmonella, following 149 cases the previous year. Internal UKHSA records show that the FSA considered banning Polish poultry but ultimately refrained due to concerns about its impact on the meat industry. While FSA interventions have reduced reported cases, salmonella levels remain above acceptable thresholds. Officials warned that contamination extended beyond processed foods, affecting fresh chicken and raw pet food.
Anjali Juneja, director of UK and international affairs at the FSA, stated that the agency has been collaborating with Polish authorities to enhance safety measures. “We continue to actively monitor the situation, including through in-country audits of Polish food safety controls and poultry producers exporting to the UK. If we see any information of concern, we will take the necessary action.”
The revelations emerge as Parliament’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee prepares to launch an inquiry into animal and plant health. The committee will assess the effectiveness of UK import controls, particularly regarding food hygiene and public health.
Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, has urged for mandatory checks on all Polish poultry imports. “We expect our trading partners to meet their responsibilities with regard to safe food. If they cannot, and their own authorities cannot enforce the appropriate controls, then we want our own regulators to have the powers and resources to stop unsafe meat entering the country.”
The Polish veterinary inspectorate defended its safety measures, asserting that food safety alerts related to Polish poultry had declined from 2020 to 2024. It claimed that thorough investigations and corrective actions were undertaken whenever salmonella was detected and that antibiotics were only used under veterinary supervision.
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