California Eggs: Statewide Program To Prevent Salmonella Contamination

Last July, the Food and Drug Administration, FDA

, enacted new egg-safety regulations in response to a nationwide epidemic of salmonella poisoning. A recent investigation into conditions at the two Iowa farms responsible for over 1,500 incidents of salmonella poisoning, however, revealed that they were ill equipped to implement and follow the new rules. 40% of California eggsthe state in which nearly 300 people have become ill from salmonella-contaminated eggscame from these same farms.

The new laws require farms to test the environment surrounding egg-laying areas three times a year for salmonella. At Wright County Farmsthe egg farm sited for numerous safety violations over the years and that has been forced to recall over half a billion eggs due to contaminationFDA investigators found egregious safety violations: maggot-infested manure; doors propped open with 8-foot-high piles of manure, in effect, allowing entry for wildlife; and wild birds flying through laying houses. Inspectors found rodent holes, leaking manure, and water contaminated with salmonella at Hillandale Farms. Clearly, both farms would have failed environmental tests for salmonella.

Even if the new FDA regulations were properly followed, they would not rival Californias Egg Quality Assurance Plan, a program designed to prevent the presence of salmonella and chemical residues in eggs coming from California farms. During the average 2-year lifespan of California hens, egg farmers will vaccinate the hens 3 times, perform 5 environmental checks, and test their feed for salmonella 6 times. Compare this rigorous safety program to that mandated by the FDA: larger eggs farms are required to purchase young chickens (pullets) from farms that screen for salmonella, create and implement protocols for preventing the infestation of facilities by pests, and perform three environmental tests for salmonella. The new FDA rules do not even require farmers to vaccinate their birds.

While California eggs may be safer to eat than those originating from farms in other statesmany of which do not follow such strict regulationsthey are more expensive to produce, leading many egg distributers in the state to look elsewhere. Moark, one of Californias main egg distributers, purchased most of its product from Hillandale Farms until they were identified as the source of salmonella contaminated-eggs. Since the suspension of egg production in Iowa due to the recall, the price of wholesale eggs in California has escalated by 20%, with California farmers producing 56% of the eggs consumed in the state. This increase in business is not only beneficial to the states poor economy but also to the health of its citizens. Hopefully, this trend will continue on long after Iowa farms have begun producing again.

by: James Ballidis

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