Former egg farm workers say complaints ignored

FDA Inspectors only concerned with grading eggs not the sanitary conditions.

The USDA employees worked next to areas where roughly 7.7 million caged hens laid eggs at the two operations, but agency spokesman Caleb Weaver said their main duties are "grading" the eggs and they aren't primarily responsible for looking for health problems

Two former workers at Wright County Egg facilities, Robert and Deanna Arnold, said they reported problems such as leaking manure and dead chickens to USDA employees, but nothing was done.

Click on the following for more details:  Business & Technology | Former egg farm workers say complaints ignored | Seattle Times Newspaper

F.D.A. Links Salmonella to Egg Farms and Chicken Feed

Sherri McGarry, a Food and Drug Administration official, said salmonella was found in feed given to young birds, known as pullets, that were raised by a DeCoster facility for use at both its own farms and at Hillandale Farms. The bacteria was also found in bone meal

[Iowa] is the largest egg producer now, by far. Fifteen billion eggs are expected to come from Iowa this year from 60 million hens.

Click on the following for more details:  F.D.A. Links Salmonella to Egg Farms and Chicken Feed - NYTimes.com

Restaurants scramble after massive egg recall

restaurants nationwide are keeping a closer eye on egg suppliers and reminding diners of the dangers of undercooked food after a massive recall tied to a salmonella outbreak.

Click on the following to read what the national chains have done so far:  Daily Herald | Restaurants scramble after massive egg recall

U.S. Forgoes Salmonella Vaccine for Egg Safety -

 

there was not enough evidence to conclude that vaccinating hens against salmonella would prevent people from getting sick. The Food and Drug Administration decided not to mandate vaccination of hens — a precaution that would cost less than a penny per a dozen eggs.

many industry experts say the absence of mandatory vaccination greatly weakens the F.D.A. rules, depriving them of a crucial step that could prevent future outbreaks.

One-half to two-thirds of American farmers already inoculate their flocks, according to industry estimates, and that number is likely to increase. While the new federal rules do not require vaccination, they do require testing for salmonella.

Click on the following for more details:  U.S. Forgoes Salmonella Vaccine for Egg Safety - NYTimes.com

U.S. Forgoes Salmonella Vaccine for Egg Safety -

 

there was not enough evidence to conclude that vaccinating hens against salmonella would prevent people from getting sick. The Food and Drug Administration decided not to mandate vaccination of hens — a precaution that would cost less than a penny per a dozen eggs.

many industry experts say the absence of mandatory vaccination greatly weakens the F.D.A. rules, depriving them of a crucial step that could prevent future outbreaks.

Click on the following for more details:  U.S. Forgoes Salmonella Vaccine for Egg Safety - NYTimes.com