‘Runny Eggs’ Report Finalised: FSA asked to change advice for British Lion eggs

The draft report on UK egg safety by a specialist sub-group of the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) has been approved by the full ACMSF committee following a three-month consultation period.   

The report was the result of a year-long review to assess improvements in UK egg safety since the last review in 2001.  It considered that: ‘The very low risk level means that UK hen eggs produced under the Lion Code, or produced under demonstrably equivalent comprehensive schemes, can be served raw or lightly cooked to all groups in society, including those that are more vulnerable to infection, in both domestic and commercial settings, including care homes and hospitals, and this recommendation does not apply when non-Lion Code or imported eggs are used.’

The report recommends that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) should now consider amending its long-standing advice – that vulnerable groups should avoid raw or lightly cooked eggs - for eggs produced under the British Lion scheme or a demonstrably-equivalent comprehensive scheme.

Andrew Joret, chairman of the British Egg Industry Council, which runs the British Lion scheme, said:  ‘We welcome the confirmation of the findings of this important report and urge the FSA to accept ACMSF’s risk assessment and recommendations, and to update its advice to vulnerable groups as soon as possible.’  

 

Update 25th July 2016: FSA Rules runny eggs safe for all