6 CRAFTBUTCHER l NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 THE HUMBLE BRITISH


FOOD HYGIENE


EGG IS A SUPERSTAR by Paul Hobbs, Principal EHO at Horsham District Council


a number of celebrity reality shows including Strictly Come Dancing. A Whitehall report


published in 2001 proved that Edwina had, in fact, been largely right. Te study found that Britain was facing a "salmonella epidemic of considerable proportions" in late 1988. Te British Lion scheme


A GREAT many butchers sell fresh shell eggs to compliment the other essentials, like bacon and sausages. Tey are also an essential ingredient for the manufacture of handmade scotch eggs, gala pies, etc. Eggs have once again made


the news recently, but that’s nothing new, the humble egg has many interesting features not to mention a fascinating history. One large egg has varying


amounts of 13 essential vitamins and minerals, high- quality protein, all for 70 calories. In fact eggs were so valued for their nutritional


content that they were an essential food source during World War Two. Eggs were initially rationed and later dried egg powder was introduced as a response from the government to a wartime shortage of fresh eggs. In 1988 MP Edwina Currie


sparked outrage among poultry farmers and the egg production industry claiming that there was a health risk from salmonella in eggs. Egg sales in the UK plummeted overnight which led to her ministerial downfall. Te episode may have destroyed her political career but it gave her opportunity to appear on


was launched in 1998 and has become the UK’s most successful food safety scheme. Over 90% of UK eggs are now produced under the British Lion scheme and have been responsible for a drastic reduction to the presence of salmonella in UK eggs. Te scheme involves the vaccination of all hens against Salmonella and a ‘passport’ system ensuring that all hens, eggs and feed are fully traceable. Such is the success of


the scheme that the Food Standards Agency has recently confirmed that they are the only eggs that are safe to be consumed runny, or even raw, by vulnerable groups. Te new advice follows a year long report by the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF), which highlighted the importance of using eggs produced to Lion standards. While the British egg is


being lorded, there is not the


same confidence with eggs produced outside the UK. Public Health England has recently reported an increase in the incidents of Salmonella enteritidis believed to be associated with cheap imported eggs from Poland. In August this year it was


estimated that around 700,000 potentially infected eggs were imported into Britain from Dutch farms. Te affected eggs had been contaminated with an insecticide called Fipronil which is an anti-tick and flea pesticide, banned in products destined for the human food chain. Te advice from British


Lion Egg Processors to retailers is to stock eggs marked with the British Lion Egg Producers stamp. So why is the British Egg


king? Te Lion Code of Practice


covers the entire production chain from laying to retail sale and incorporates food safety controls above and beyond those outlined in current UK and EU legislation. Like Edwina Curry, the


British egg has overcome adversity, reinvented itself and made a dramatic comeback. With all the EU trade talks going on regarding Brexit, we sometimes forget that the UK has a reputation for producing safe quality food which is much in demand. Te British egg is testimony to that.


DIARY DATES 2018


LOCAL ASSOCIATION / COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS JANUARY 8 Spalding & E Elloe BA Meeting


(Mrs M Barnes: 01775 713482 barnesjonathan@sky.com) 19:30 Te White Horse Inn, Spalding For further info contact secretary


JANUARY 8 LRMTA Meeting


(R Kelsey Tel: 01892 541412 / roger@nfmſt.co.uk) 19:00 Te Holiday Inn, Sipson Road, West Drayton UB7 0JE


For further info contact secretary


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