The FSA had sought the advice of the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) to find out if the risk to consumers, including vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children and the elderly, had changed since 2001.
The report found there had been a “major reduction in the risk from Salmonella in UK hens’ eggs since 2001”, according to the chair of the ACMSF ad hoc group on eggs Professor John Coia.
“This is especially the case for eggs produced under the Lion Code, or equivalent schemes,” said Coia.
“It also recommended that these eggs could be served raw or lightly cooked to both those in good health and those in more vulnerable groups.”
‘Very low risk’
However, the ACMSF recommendation to classify certain eggs as very low risk applied to UK hens’ eggs produced under the Lion Code or similar standards.
It also advised that storing eggs properly, observing best-before dates and avoiding the cross contamination of eggs must not be overlooked and that factors such as these would increase the level of uncertainty associated with this risk assessment.
“Eggs produced under schemes other than the UK Lion Code or demonstrably equivalent comprehensive schemes and eggs from species other than chickens carry a higher risk of salmonella contamination.
“[These eggs] should not be used for raw or lightly cooked egg products.”
Responding to the report, the FSA launched an eight-week consultation to review the advice given to consumers on eating lightly cooked or raw eggs.
Health minister Edwina Currie
The recommendations came nearly 30 years after former Conservative health minister Edwina Currie warned in 1988: “Most of the egg production in this country sadly is now infected with salmonella.”
The FSA’s current advice to consumers is that eating raw eggs, eggs with runny yolks or any food that is uncooked or only lightly cooked and contains raw eggs, may cause food poisoning and warns vulnerable groups against eating them.
The agency has invited views on the recommended changes to the FSA’s advice from food and hospitality industries, consumer and enforcement bodies and health care practitioners.
Comments should be submitted by September 16 2016.
Meanwhile, read the ACMSF report in full here.
Sunrise Eggs's reaction to the runny egg report
Leicester-based producer Sunrise Eggs said it welcomed the FSA announcement on runny eggs and called it good news for British farming.
Director Phil Crawley said: “I’m delighted that, after more 25 years of debate, research and sometimes alarmist news coverage, the FSA is able to announce that pregnant women, babies and older people can eat their eggs runny – so long as they have the British Lion stamp on.
“The FSA announcement is good news for the whole British farming sector, for the consumers and for Sunrise Eggs.
“We’ve invested heavily over the years in the additional measures of husbandry and production care demanded by the Lion Code of Practice.”