Good eggs

Food Science and TechnologyVolume 35, Issue 4 p. 54-57 FeaturesFree Access Good eggs First published: 04 December 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/fsat.3504_15.xAboutSectionsPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text full-text accessPlease review our Terms Conditions of Use check box below share version article.I have read accept the Wiley Online Library UseShareable LinkUse link a this article with your friends colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Since its launch more than 20 years ago, British Lion Quality Code Practice continues ensure that egg products in UK are produced highest standards food safety. Sterling Crew reviews impact scheme on production, consumption Humans eaten for thousands years. Many types from range bird species, including ducks quail, available marketplace but most common choice is chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), populous planet. Eggs readily inexpensive; they play an important part healthy, balanced diet many parts world. They highly nutritious, containing 55-80 calories per depending size key nutrients, such as high quality protein, vitamin D, selenium, iodine, choline omega-3 fatty acids1. Egg production popular integral national diet. In 2020 we consumed 12.9bn laid by flock around 42m, retail sales value £1.3bn2. 2006, has grown year rising 3bn average annual growth rate £260m. The sales, largely multiple retailer, just over £1bn, up approximately £400m since 2004. majority sold through channel, equating about 59% total 48% 2004, while foodservice accounts 21% manufacturing 20%. A fifth all processed use quiche ice cream. free market shown remarkable now represents 71% (including 2% organic) highlighting increasing importance consumers placing provenance systems. mark UK's successful safety scheme3. it was launched 1998, 130bn been sold; 90% under scheme. responsible drastic reduction presence Salmonella Standards Agency (FSA) confirmed safe be runny, or even raw, vulnerable groups4. All carry (Figure 1) stringent requirements Practice. It (Table consolidating latest, best scientific, veterinary advice. Figure 1Open figure viewerPowerPoint - labelling Table 1. Some controls introduced PracticeCourtesy SOME OF THE CONTROLS INTRODUCED BY BRITISH LION CODE PRACTICE Laying farm conditions cover health animal welfare routines designed avoid infection. Breeding flocks: regular testing slaughter positive identification Enteritidis typhimurium. Pullet rearing: vaccination against species plus records accompany birds transportation showing origin, hygiene pest control measures. Feed control: mandatory exclusion ingredients sourced mammals birds, measures aimed at preventing contamination. Registration: chain, traceability individuals their products. Audits: independent self-audit schedules include unannounced visits regulatory officials farms. Staff training: includes husbandry promote prevent infection, contingency plans cope emergency situations. staff ‘training passport’ kept. Packing centre controls: strict record keeping shows each origin (at least quarter year) mark: only show red stamped shell, giving method date consumer information Cool chain maintenance: maintenance appropriate storage throughout cycle, retail/ service customer. covers entire ensures guarantee hens vaccinated ‘passport’ system ensuring hens’ feed fully traceable. independently audited ISO17065, which accreditation standard certifying product service. 700 auditable criteria 80 critical non-conformances. This suite effectively eliminating eggs. following scare 1988 restore confidence eradicate supply chain. journey breeding hatching, pullet rearing, farm, packaging final processing. success story domestic production. late 1990s, producers took proactive stance overturn bad press concerns, instituting initiatives win back trust. Risk gram negative rod-shaped bacterium can cause illness salmonellosis humans. usually characterised acute onset fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea sometimes vomiting life threatening, particularly infants elderly. one four global causes diarrhoeal diseases estimated account 153m cases gastroenteritis 57,000 deaths globally year5. relevant zoonotic pathogen fresh bacteria found guts poultry livestock. Birds animals infected feed, hatcheries, faeces during transport abattoirs, where processing also spread There thought two possible routes contamination contents intact eggs: horizontal transmission, when penetrates eggshell, vertical contaminated result infection reproductive organs before covered shell. normally present very low initial concentrations unable multiply any foods temperatures less 7°C. emergence associated meat 1980s caused largest persistent epidemics foodborne dramatic collapse fell 60%; 4m were killed 400m destroyed. followed series warnings government groups, pregnant women, young children elderly people, eating them if raw runny. statement then junior Conservative Health Minister, Edwina Currie, who declared: ‘Most country, sadly, affected Salmonella.’ Mrs Currie's overstated danger led her resignation fortnight later. But there problem eggs6 1990s had started hen programme, which, combined other measures, resulted decline numbers infections. 2014, European Safety Authority (EFSA) published report7 describing being among safest 2017, FSA announced change advice eggs, due significant levels year's risk assessment Advisory Committee Microbiological Food8 extensive within launch. Heather Hancock, Chairman time, commented ‘it's good news groups safely eat without needing hard boil them, so long bear equivalent standards. thoroughly reviewed scientific evidence these we're confident consumers. millions pulled supermarket shelves dozen countries after discovered some fipronil. Vulnerable lightly cooked However, unclear whether understand message – may confused assume ‘all’ eat. should still not marked demonstrable duck quail. ‘backyard’ outside people's houses, These until white yolk solid. few assured minimise across Poland between 2016 outbreak 18 countries, UK, linked 1,656 infections, making reported pesticides Fipronil (C12H4Cl2F6N4OS) broad-spectrum insecticide belongs phenylpyrazole chemical family. often used de-flea household pets effective treating lice, commonly poultry. World Organisation (WHO) describes fipronil ‘moderately toxic’ people large quantities. potentially dangerous effects kidneys, liver thyroid glands. banned Union destined human consumption, chickens. Maximum Residue Level (MRL) set detection limit 0.005 mg/kg (Regulation (EC) No 396/2005). Courtesy included imported into UK. Dutch farms producing week. 3m chickens slaughtered cost tens euros damages. Two disinfection firms Netherlands subsequently liable. Poultry farmers misled believing mixture intended mites based natural eucalyptus menthol. treatment fact pesticide known Dega-16, contained contaminant originated Europe. 700,000 Britain, concluded ‘very unlikely public consuming foods’ noting shell ingredients, mostly sandwich fillings chilled foods. Other related scares periodically arisen number instances dioxin past decade. 1999, given chickens, pigs Belgium. Dioxins toxic developmental problems, damage immune system, interfere hormones cancer. For reason, maximum dioxins dioxin-like PCBs force 2006. According Regulation 1881/2006, permitted applying sum dioxins: 3.0 pg/g fat 6. 0 fat. If exceeds levels, must placed and, already marketplace, withdrawn. meant no fraudsters operating industry, replacing premium organic varieties cheaper Under law, classes quality: & B. Class higher naturally clean, fresh, internally perfect shells air sac exceeding 6mm depth; additionally move away rotation. checked ‘candling’ egg. B broken-out pasteurised. called industrial non-food shampoos. freshness guaranteed best-before date, 28 days lay, supported cool starting farm. Authenticity fraud isolated acts dishonesty individual offenders, organised illegal activity coordinated sophisticated criminal organisations. Fraud involve stage substitution misrepresentation. Recently trader convicted selling fit serious incident potential implications. compliance mass balance checks, additional auditing, database movements marking. helps manufacturers becoming victims paramount protecting trust maintaining fair, sustainable business practices. Conclusions outbreaks vast planet's population do access comprehensive scheme, demonstrably enhances safety, minimises gives Most rely purchasing practices try reduce risk9. stringent, robust routine testing, improvements, careful monitoring auditing steps laying breeder flocks way choose Crew, FRSPH.FIFST.FCIEH. MSOFT CenvH. CSci email [email protected] Independent Scientific Advisor Lion. Chair Board Network. Co-founder Kitchen Conversation, Managing Director SQS. Strategic Dynamic Indicator Shield Group. board member Campden BRI. Regulatory OLIO. Audit Eurofins governance board. Trustee CIEH. Chair, Institute Technology's Group, editorial panel immediate Vice President. Last awarded prestigious IFST Honouree Fellowship. References 1NHS. healthy Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/eggs-nutrition/ 2British industry data. https://www.egginfo.co.uk/egg-facts-and-figures/industry-information/data 3British Mark Version 7. http://www.britisheggindustrycouncil.co.uk/download/LCoPV7.pdf 4Food Agency. New runny 2017. https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20171207160203/https://www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/news/2017/16597/new-advice-on-eating-runny-eggs 5World Organisation. Fact Sheet (non-typhoidal). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/salmonella-(non-typhoidal) 6Lane C., LeBaigue S., Oluwasen B., Esan Awofisyo A.A., Adams, N.L., Fisher, I.S.T. et al. 2014. enterica Serovar Enteritidis, England Wales, 1945–2011. Emerging Infectious Diseases 20: 1097- 1104 7 EFSA Panel Biological Hazards. Opinion risks table deterioration development pathogens. Journal 12. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3782 8Advisory Food. An update microbial https://acmsf.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/acmsf-egg-reportv1.pdf 9Cardoso, M.J., Nicolau, A.I., Borda, D., Nielsen, L., Maia, R.L., Møretrø, T. 2021. shopping providing evidence-based analysis factors. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12753 Volume35, Issue4December 2021Pages FiguresReferencesRelatedInformation