Eggs-quisite analysis: how to monitor Salmonella presence in eggs

Author: David Petrie-Dolphin

8th October 2021

Sci-Tech

Agriculture

If all the eggs we ate in the UK every year were placed in a line, they would go around the world 12 times. The total figure amounted to over 12 billion in 2020—a 25% increase in 10 years. The more eggs we eat, the more important it is that farmers keep them free of contamination and infection.

The Lion Code guarantees the highest standards of food safety, egg quality, and labelling, as well as ensuring the best possible environmental control and welfare conditions for laying birds. Read on to find out more about the Lion code as well as the dangers of Salmonella, how to reduce Salmonella infection, and how Sci-Tech helps farmers to identify and prevent disease before it impacts their flocks.

The dangers of Salmonella

Salmonella and its variations are among the most widespread foodborne pathogens, causing gastrointestinal infections around the world. Just last year, there were 38 reported cases linked to a Salmonella outbreak that were traced to eggs from the UK, as well as 1,722 cases in the US linked to contact with backyard poultry.

Salmonella can be present in a range of foods, including chicken, pork, eggs, fruit, vegetables or even processed foods, as well as through contaminated water, the environment, other people, and animals. Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after infection, and include diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms are often more severe in infants and older people, as well as those whose immune systems are already compromised, and can lead to hospitalisation or, in rare cases, even death.

Salmonella also affects the poultry themselves. Outbreaks can have a devastating impact on productivity and profitability for the business owner, as well as on animal health and welfare, and can pose significant risk to the public who buy and consume eggs. Regular screening is consequently an integral part of business protection. The Lion Code of Practice presents a comprehensive guide to doing just that.

The Lion Code: a timeline of preventing Salmonella infection

The Lion Code was reintroduced in 1998 to show that eggs have been produced to the highest possible standards. British Lion branded eggs, with their definitive marks, account for 90% of UK egg production. The brand means they have been laid by hens vaccinated against Salmonella and have been produced under the Lion Code of Practice, which includes the latest research and advice on Salmonella and eggs from scientists and veterinarians.

The Lion Code of Practice complies with ISO 17065, looking at over 700 audited parts. Salmonella control is a key element, and screening is used throughout the egg production process, focusing on:

1. Vaccinating hens against Salmonellaat the pullet rearing stage, which is the necessary first step in preventing Salmonella infection in eggs. However, vaccination alone is not enough to prevent Salmonella, so good farm management must also be a priority. Uncontaminated drinking water, for example, results in higher effectiveness of drinking water vaccines as they do not have to compete with bacteria, and so good quality drinking water must be provided and maintained. I will be expanding on the importance of water quality in a future blog, so watch this space!
2. Hatchery: environmental and hygiene testing of the hatchery environment and staff must be undertaken to ensure the absence of Salmonella.
3. Farm testing: swabs and environmental material from the farm, such as faeces, are tested to confirm that there are no further Salmonella environmental concerns.
4. Packing centre: eggs and environmental swabs are tested to ensure that there is no Salmonella present when eggs are shipped to retailers.
5. Feed supply: feed shipments are also screened regularly to check that raw materials do not include Salmonella, which could then be introduced to the farms.

The Lion Code covers all these aspects and, when complied with, provides an overall protection to the food industry at every stage of production.

Sci-Tech offers a variety of services to help you protect your flock and screen your eggs for Salmonella

To remain compliant with the Lion Code and prevent a loss of profitability and brand reputation, farmers must screen for Salmonella throughout the egg production process. Sci-Tech is one of the few independent, fully-accredited laboratories that uses CASE agar testing to detect and isolate Salmonella before it adversely impacts your flock.

Sci-Tech works with veterinary and animal health professionals, offering UKAS accredited serology, microbiology, and PCR testing for every stage with the most comprehensive cross-contamination procedures in the industry. For more information on our services, click here.

References

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/backyardpoultry-05-20/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/salmonella-food.html

https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2020/07/salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-british-eggs/