UK egg producers want better egg-handling guide for caterers

UK producers have called on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to advice caterers better to minimise salmonella risk from eggs.

British Lion egg producers said the FSA has failed to give clear advice to caterers about using safe eggs. This follows recent outbreaks of salmonella poisoning cases linked to Spanish eggs.

The producers have asked the FSA to review its advice to caterers to highlight the higher safety profile of eggs from flocks vaccinated against salmonella.

More than 85 percent of UK-produced eggs are produced under the British Lion scheme, which requires vaccination of hens against salmonella along with a range of other food safety measures.

All major UK retailers specify British Lion eggs and it is time that caterers took similar responsibility for buying safe eggs, said Andrew Parker, Chairman of the British Egg Industry Council.

Several salmonella outbreaks have taken place in England since August involving a strain of salmonella, S. Enteritidis PT 14b NxCpl, which has not been found in egg-laying flocks in Great Britain.