FDA Proposes In-Lid Labeling for Eggs

FDA Proposes In-Lid Labeling for Eggs

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today proposed to amend its food labeling regulations to permit the egg industry to place the safe handling statement for shell eggs on the inside lid of egg cartons if the statement "Keep Refrigerated" appears on the top or side panel. This proposed rule applies to shell eggs that have not been treated to destroy Salmonella bacteria that can cause food-borne illness. If the rule is finalized, consumers may see the safe handling statement every time they open the egg carton. Currently, the safe handling statement must appear on either the top or any side panel of egg cartons.

FDA proposed to amend the egg labeling regulations after the egg industry asked FDA to allow safe handling statements to be placed on the inside lid of egg cartons. Although the placement of the safe handling statement on the inside lid of egg cartons is optional, the statement remains the same: "To prevent illness from bacteria: keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly."

An estimated 118,000 illnesses per year are caused by consumption of eggs contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause an intestinal infection if ingested. Persons with salmonellosis (the illness caused by the bacterium) may experience diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Children, the elderly and persons with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2005/ANS01355.html

Were there a big warning on the top lid, some might shy away from said purchase. Though most folks "shuffle" the eggs to make sure none are broken, how likely are they to put them back down once their mind is made up, thinking about how tasty they will be.

without risking salmonella. But no more. Factory eggs are from diseased chickens so of course they are unsafe. Since too many people now know this, the egg lobby wants to increase sales and avoid liability at the same time by hiding their warning. Organic eggs or eggs from a farmer you trust are the only ways to know that the chickens the eggs come from aren't sick, and I'm not even too sure about organic animal practices anymore...