Response to EFSA

The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) has welcomed the clarification by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) today, that there is no evidence to suggest to date that avian influenza can be transmitted to humans through consumption of eggs, and that there should be no change to longstanding safety advice. 

“British eggs remain among the safest in the world and despite recent ‘scare’ stories, there is no change to current advice about eating eggs,” says BEIC deputy chairman Andrew Joret. 

“British shoppers should continue to look for the British Lion mark, which guarantees that the eggs have been laid in the UK by hens vaccinated against salmonella, and follow normal hygiene procedures when storing, handling and cooking eggs,” he says.

The UK Food Standards Agency has advised that the recent outbreaks of avian flu in Asia and South and Eastern Europe do not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.  It has confirmed for people, the risk of catching the disease comes from being in close contact with live poultry that have the disease.  

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control also states that the risk of infection for most people in Europe is close to zero

Defra continues to state that the current risk of AI entering the UK is low.

The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) is liaising closely with Defra to ensure the industry is best prepared should the risk heighten.  Contingency plans are in place which are under constant review by Defra, BEIC and other interested parties. Additional surveillance is being undertaken and should it be necessary the industry can act swiftly to bring hens indoors. 

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For more information, please contact the British Egg Information Service on 020 7808 9790.  Out of office hours:  Amanda Cryer 07770 432 405 or Kevin Coles 0777 602 6012.