Egg hygiene Flashcards
What are the regulations for egg production
The regulations are not intended for hobby hen keepers
Describe enforcement of egg production legislation in the UK
Describe egg grading
Describe class A eggs
eggs that have quality characteristics that make them suitable for direct human consumption.
Can be sold through supermarkets
Eggs must not be washed/cleaned before/after grading & cant be treated for preservation or maintained at less than 5C
the words ‘extra fresh’ may be used as an additional quality indication on packs containing class A eggs until 9th day after laying of the egg
What are the quality characteristics of class A eggs
Describe the grading of class A eggs by weight
Eggs of different sizes can be packaged together but minimum weight should be given and pack must say ‘eggs of different sizes’
Describe class B eggs
don’t meet quality characteristics for direct human consumption unless heat treated/pasteurised
e.g. eggs from laying flocks which are positive for Salmonella Enteritidis or Salmonella Typhimurium or are of unknown health status
e.g. eggs which are damaged or unclean
Describe ungraded eggs
Describe egg codes
The information printed on the egg shell include relevant data for traceability, which includes:
- Farming method.
- Country of origin.
- Farm ID.
- Quality standards (Lion mark for the UK).
What is the lion mark
The British Lion Quality Code of Practice is a UK food safety programme launched on 1998.
British Lion Quality mark symbolises that eggs are produced from lying hens vaccinated (when pullets) against Salmonella Enteritidis.
The programme includes auditing of the facilities, on-farm and packing station hygiene controls and an effective traceability system.
Additionally, all eggs produced under the code of practice have a “best-before” date stamped on the shell.
The British Lion Quality mark, which is a registered trademark, can only be used by subscribers to the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) on eggs which have been produced in accordance with UK and EU law and the British Lion Quality Code of Practice.
Approximately 85% of the eggs produced in the UK meet British Lion Quality standards.
What are the exceptions to egg marking
The regulations do not apply in full to hen eggs sold directly to the consumer for their own use:
- by the producer on their own farm;
- by the producer through door-to-door selling;
- by the producer in a local public market.
For these circumstances, the producer cannot make any use of the quality or weight grading terms.
Additionally, if the producer has fewer than 50 birds and sell at a public market he/she does not have to mark the eggs with a producer code. However, the producer must display his/her name, address, the best before date and advice on how to keep eggs chilled after purchase.
Nevertheless, individual markets still may have their own rules which require the stamping of a producer code on hen eggs.
What is the most common source of food borne outbreaks
eggs and egg products (18.5%)
What is the most common source of Salmonella
egg and egg products
What is the national control plan (NCP)
Describe the importation of eggs/egg products
How can salmonella infections be prevented in flocks
