The EU countries known to be affected by the scandal are Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Sweden, Britain, Austria, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Denmark.

Other affected European Union countries are France, Sweden, Britain, Austria, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Denmark, commission spokesman Daniel Rosario said, as well as non-EU member Switzerland.

Food safety authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has enhanced checks on eggs imported from Europe after insecticide was found in some eggs from European countries, the HKSAR's secretary for food and health said Saturday. Products in British supermarkets were removed on Thursday after it was discovered that the initial Food Standards Agency claim that 21,000 contaminated eggs had hit the United Kingdom was a major underestimate. Heavy and prolonged exposure can damage the kidneys and liver or cause seizures.

"Samples analysed in the Netherlands show traces of fipronil in the eggs, but not as a health hazard", the agency said. The EU bans the use of fipronil in the food industry.

But across the border here in Germany supermarkets have withdrawn millions of eggs from sale while in Belgium and the Netherlands have also taken off millions of eggs from their shelves.

Shell shock The Netherlands, one of the largest exporters of eggs and egg products in the world, is in the eye of a storm over an egg scandal.

Hong Kong was the only non-European place mentioned.

Local supermarket chain ParknShop said it was "very concerned" and pledged to "closely communicate" with the centre and "follow its instruction".

"Customers can bring the product along with the receipt to the store for either a merchandise exchange or refund when they have queries about the products purchased", he added.