May 15, 2008

Waitrose recalls organic eggs, fears of lead contamination
 

UK major retailer Waitrose has recalled thousands of Colombian blacktail hen organic eggs over fears of lead contamination.

The eggs are all from one farm that supplies Waitrose and the Daily Mail has reported that free-range birds from one flock wandered to a field used for clay pigeon shooting and ate lead shot.

A veterinarian was called after some of the chickens became ill and it was found that the chickens had higher than normal levels of lead.

The eggs, which make up 1 percent of Waitrose's organic egg supply, were removed from the shelves.

"As a precaution we are recalling extra large, large and medium organic blacktail Colombian organic eggs with the code of OUK 20137 stamped on each individual egg. This recall applies to all date codes up to and including May 21," said a company spokesman.