Government legislation
The following measures are currently applied to eggs produced in the UK:
- The Zoonoses Order 1989 requires all isolations of Salmonella from specified species of animals, birds, carcasses, products or surroundings of an animal or bird or from any feeding stuffs to be reported to Defra (ref SI 1989/285).
- The Control of Salmonella in Poultry Order 2007 sets out specific sampling requirements for Salmonella in breeding and laying flocks required by the National Control Programmes for Salmonella. (ref SI 2007/3574). This Order implements the requirements of European legislation in Regulation (EC) No. 2160/2003 (as amended) on the control of Salmonella and other specified food-borne zoonotic agents.
- The Zoonoses Order 1989 also allows for various actions to be taken when certain Salmonella serotypes are found in breeding and laying flocks, including restrictions imposed on the eggs from that flock and requiring the cleansing and disinfection of laying houses when certain invasive Salmonella serotypes (Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium) have been isolated (ref SI 1989/285)
- Banning the retail sale by egg producers of cracked eggs (ref SI 1990/1323. The Ungraded Eggs (Hygiene) Regulations 1990).
- Introducing higher standards for home produced and imported heat-treated eggs (ref Egg Product Regulation EC 853/2004).
- The Eggs and Chicks (England) Regulations 2009, and equivalent regulations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland state it is mandatory to show a “best before” date for eggs on packs and for instructions to be printed on packs telling consumers to keep eggs refrigerated (chilled) after purchase. EC Egg Marketing Regulations prohibit the re-use of small egg packs.
- New hygiene legislation was implemented by EC Regulation 852/2004.
Government produced guidance available:
- Code of Practice for the prevention and control of Salmonella in breeding flocks and hatcheries (1993).
- A Guide to the Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries Order 2007 and National Control Programme for Salmonella in breeding flocks (Dec 2006).
- Code of Practice for the control of Salmonella during the production, storage and transport of compound feeds, pre-mixtures, feed materials and feed additives (ref PBI 3303 Oct 2009).
- Code of Practice for the prevention and control of Salmonella in commercial egg laying flocks (revised 1995 and 2007).
- Code of Practice for the prevention and control of rodent infestations on poultry farms (revised in 2009)
- An education campaign in hygienic handling of food in the home (Eat well, be well. www.food.gov.uk).
- Explanatory leaflet on legislation covering the production and marketing of eggs – EMR1 (http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/Forms/library/EMR1.PDF)
Additional information
To provide you with the latest information on eggs and salmonella, and to help you give caterers the best advice, we have produced two leaflets, 'Eggs and Food Safety, A Guide for Caterers' and 'Salmonella - The Facts' (which gives EHOs more detailed information on salmonella), available to order in bulk quantities. These are also available for download as pdfs:
Eggs and Food Safety - a Guide for Caterers
Salmonella - The Facts
The Lion Code of Practice
The Code covers all stages of production from breeding through to ultimate consumer of eggs. Key elements of the Code include:
- All hens producing Lion Quality eggs must have been vaccinated against Salmonella Enteritidis.
- A registration and 'passport' system ensures complete traceability of Lion Quality eggs, hens and feed.
- There are increased hygiene controls and Salmonella testing right through the production system.
- The Lion Code of Practice also incorporates higher standards of animal welfare than required by law.
- The Lion Code of Practice includes stringent feed controls, including production of feed to Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS) standards and a ban on the yolk colourant canthaxanthin and the coccidiostat lasalocid in laying birds.
- A best-before date and Lion logo must be printed on the shell of Lion Quality eggs as well as on the egg box.
- The Lion Quality mark is a registered trademark and can only be used by BEIC subscribers on egg shells and egg boxes which have been produced in accordance with the Lion Code of Practice and UK and EU law.
- The Lion Code of Practice is monitored by an independent agency in accordance with the EN 45011 standard. Farms and packing stations are regularly audited including unannounced audits.
For further information on the Lion Quality mark please download download a copy here.
Recognising the Code on Eggs
All Class A eggs have to be marked with a code showing the type of farming system, country of origin and production unit. In addition, British Lion eggs have a best-before date on the shell and carry the Lion logo.
Downloads:
A Lion Quality eggs poster ‘Eggs and Food Safety – a Guide for Caterers’ is available for use in kitchens, click here to order your copy.
Eggs and Salmonella the Facts gives detailed information on Salmonella and Eggs and how the British egg industry has effectively eliminated salmonella from eggs. Download a copy here.