LONDON—Bank of England officials expressed concern over the sustainability of a strong recovery in the U.K. economy at their policy meeting earlier this month, highlighting risks such as problems in the euro zone and the potential for consumers to reduce spending.

In minutes released Wednesday from the Monetary Policy Committee's meeting, held Nov. 6-7, policy makers said that while the pickup in the economy since January had been faster than they anticipated, "there were uncertainties over the durability of the recovery."

The risks highlighted by BOE officials are in the context of a strong forecast for growth. The central bank said earlier this month that it expects the economy to expand by 1.6% this year and 2.8% in 2014, a performance that would likely make the U.K. one of the fastest-growing developed nations.

Still, the MPC said of its forecast that "overall, the balance of risks was judged to be to the downside," highlighting two possible factors that could suppress growth, but only one clear factor that might further propel the economy.

The committee said the U.K. is vulnerable to any further difficulties in the euro zone, the U.K.'s main trade partner, where an economic recovery has faltered and unemployment is at record levels, hindering governments' efforts to resolve their debt crisis.