Eggs – General Safety

Have you ever wondered how eggs are kept safe on the way to your kitchen table? Producers and packers in the egg industry and government agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the food and drug administration, and public health agencies work together to keep eggs safe and protect you and your family.

Food safety programs start on the farm with the breeder flocks. Producers use many approaches to keep their flocks free of salmonella. Quality control practices and sanitation procedures are used throughout the production and processing of eggs prior to getting to your table. For instance, in the United States, eggs are washed and sanitized prior to packing. As eggs travel to and from the packer to your local grocery store, eggs are transported and stored in cool temperatures to ensure safety.