Egg Recall – Egg Farm Practices and Organic Eggs

The recent recall of half a billion eggs from 2 large farms in Iowa is shining a spotlight on our food chain. Are factory farming practices of increasing profits by squeezing hens in close quarters causing these problems?  Having just a handful of food producers due to industry consolidation add to the problem.  California has new regulations taking in effect in 2015 requiring cage-free treatment of hens.  It also bans all eggs coming from outside the state that fail to comply with this battery-cage rule.

Confusing Egg Terminology

Cage-free - Most cage-free hens live in very large flocks that can consist of many thousands of hens who never go outside. However, unlike battery hens, cage-free hens are able to walk, spread their wings and lay their eggs in nests.

Organic - As certified by the USDA, this label requires some outdoor exposure.

Pasture-raised - This and other classifications indicate outside forage on vegetation and insects.

Certified humane - Endorsed by the Humane Society, this does not require access to the outdoors but has standards for air quality and lighting.

Organic Eggs

Organic Eggs have better flavor and the chickens laying them have been feed organic feed. Eating them is a good way to  help minimize risk of exposure to antibiotics, or synthetic hormones and pesticides while obtaining a healthy dose of nutrients.  We could not find studies that validate these suggestions though.

Egg Cooking Tips

Eggs need to be fully cooked properly to prevent food poisoning and salmonella contamination. Bacteria can exist inside an uncracked, uncooked whole egg. Avoid eating raw cookie dough with egg or making ice cream with egg or Caesar salad dressing with raw eggs. Cook eggs until the egg yolk and the egg white are firm. Cook egg custard used in eggnog, homemade ice cream, and quiches to at least 160 degrees for 15 seconds. Bake egg meringues at 350 degrees for at least 15 minutes on the lower rack of your oven. See FDA website for additional safety information.

Raw shell eggs that have not been treated to destroy Salmonella need to be refrigerated at 45°F or below.

Always wash hands with hot soapy water before and after coming in contact with eggs or foods containing eggs.

Be sure to read our Healthy Food Options to avoid Chemicals

Related posts:

1. Healthy Food Options to Avoid Harmful Chemicals
2. Chicken Safety, Turkey Safety – Salmonella, Campylobacter bacteria
3. New rules for Organic Meat and Milk
4. Certified Organic Foods and Their Meaning
5. Easy Vegetable Gardens – Farm in a box
6. Winter Green Pest Control – Ants, Organic Pesticides
7. Which is Better? Farm Raised Salmon or Wild Salmon
8. Food Inc. – Food Industry Commercialization

Posted on September 1st, 2010
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