Dive Brief:
- Penn State researchers found that eggs from smaller flocks of chickens have just as high a chance of being contaminated with salmonella as the ones consumers normally find in grocery stores, according to the university.
- This six-month study's findings contrast common assumptions that backyard and smaller local operations are safer than major commercial enterprises.
- Salmonella is a top pathogen in the U.S. food supply, and shell eggs are a common source of salmonella outbreaks.
Dive Insight:
Along with cage-free and pasture-raised, another trend impacting the egg industry is the assumption that smaller flocks would produce better, safer chickens. This reflects a wider trend in the food industry where consumers often trust smaller operations more than major companies.
Part of this disconnect is that shell-egg producers with flocks smaller than 3,000 chickens do not have to abide by the same FDA safety rules as larger flocks. Currently, only larger companies have to comply with the first FSMA rules for preventive measures. Yet eggs from smaller operations end up alongside the ones from larger flocks in grocery stores, or on their own in health and specialty food stores or farmers markets.
However, this study pokes holes in that argument. Major egg processors could use this study to convince consumers of the safety of their operations and birds, and to change the narrative surrounding distrust of larger food and beverage companies.