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Not explicitly mentioned, but is linked from the article: In Europe, the understanding is that this mandate actually encourages good husbandry on farms. It’s i
by martin-adams 10y ago
Not explicitly mentioned, but is linked from the article:
In Europe, the understanding is that this mandate actually encourages good husbandry on farms. It’s in the farmers’ best interests then to produce to cleanest eggs possible, as no one is going to buy their eggs if they’re dirty [1]
So in Europe, you need a clean environment as you're not allowed to wash the eggs. I find this equally compelling than not wanting to wash the protective cuticle off that protects against bacteria.
[1] http://www.forbes.com/sites/nadiaarumugam/2012/10/25/why-american-eggs-would-be-illegal-in-a-british-supermarket-and-vice-versa/#58478d01a53e http://www.forbes.com/sites/nadiaarumugam/2012/10/25/why-ame...
- TazeTSchnitzel 10y agoAnother important point is that, as the OP mentions briefly, eggs are porous. Potentially, if there's some horrible bacteria, it could have already seeped into the egg and washing won't help so much. So you want the egg clean anyway.
- DanBC 10y agoIt doesn't seem to be working in the UK. Over half of all the fresh chicken sold is contaminated with campylobacter.
- Drumlin 10y agoPresumably chickens that are bred for meat live a different existence to those reared for eggs?
- beejiu 10y agoThat should be no problem if cooked problem. The real problem was that 5% of wrapped chickens contained campylobacter on the outside of packaging, which would immediately contaminate any other items in your shopping.
- cjg_ 10y agoI've bought eggs that clearly have been marked as washed in Sweden (and this producer says they wash all eggs, http://www.kronagg.se/vaara-produkter/tvaettade-aegg/ http://www.kronagg.se/vaara-produkter/tvaettade-aegg/). It seems it is legal to wash them but you need an approved facility for it as it can contaminate the eggs.