3 ms·

I don't think the article is accurate. In Sweden, part of the EU, washed eggs are common. I google and find for example this (Swedish): "from 2004 EU labeling

by mongol 14y ago

I don't think the article is accurate. In Sweden, part of the EU, washed eggs are common. I google and find for example this (Swedish): "from 2004 EU labeling rules were changed so it must state if eggs are washed". More, in Swedish on http://producenter.svenskalantagg.se/tvaettade-/vi-tvaettar-ae.html http://producenter.svenskalantagg.se/tvaettade-/vi-tvaettar-...

vilhelm_s 14y ago
Yes. I did some Googling, and here is what I found: Prior to 2004, the EU rules was that "class A" eggs could not be washed. The only EU country that used egg-washing was Sweden (where about 50% of eggs were washed), and producers who washed them sold them as "class B" eggs. In 2004, the EU merged class B and class C, and forbid selling class B eggs directly to consumers. This would have banned washed table eggs, so Sweden objected. In response, the European Commission passed a derogation where egg producers who already washed eggs can continue to do so, for 3 years, provided they are authorized by the national food and safety agency, and sold in areas where that agency has jurisdiction (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/Notice.do?mode=dbl&lang=en&ihmlang=en&lng1=en,en&lng2=bg,cs,da,de,el,en,es,et,fi,fr,hu,it,lt,lv,mt,nl,pl,pt,ro,sk,sl,sv,&val=286903:cs http://eur-lex.europa.eu/Notice.do?mode=dbl&lang=en&...). I.e., Swedish producers can sell washed eggs in Sweden. In 2005 a safety study was commissioned, which turned out positive: "Taking into account the very low prevalence of Salmonella spp. in Swedish egg production, the risk associated with egg washing using the current system under strict rules is considered to be outweighed by the advantages of egg washing." (http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/269.htm http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/269.htm) Apparently 9 Swedish egg packeries and one in the Netherland was granted the exception, which was subsequently extended at least to 2007. I couldn't see any information about the current status, but if Swedish producers still sell the eggs, they probably do it under the same form of exemption.
arrrg 14y ago
There are always going to be exceptions in the EU. That’s just how it is. It would have been nice if the article were a bit more accurate, but the basic story is very true.
kawsper 14y ago
And in Denmark the eggs are also refrigerated.
timc3 14y ago
Hate Swedish supermarket eggs. Open the packet and it just is a disappointment. (Grew up on farm with plenty of fresh brown beautiful eggs).

by mongol 14y ago

vilhelm_s 14y ago

Yes. I did some Googling, and here is what I found: Prior to 2004, the EU rules was that "class A" eggs could not be washed. The only EU country that used egg-washing was Sweden (where about 50% of eggs were washed), and producers who washed them sold them as "class B" eggs. In 2004, the EU merged class B and class C, and forbid selling class B eggs directly to consumers. This would have banned washed table eggs, so Sweden objected. In response, the European Commission passed a derogation where egg producers who already washed eggs can continue to do so, for 3 years, provided they are authorized by the national food and safety agency, and sold in areas where that agency has jurisdiction (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/Notice.do?mode=dbl&lang=en&ihmlang=en&lng1=en,en&lng2=bg,cs,da,de,el,en,es,et,fi,fr,hu,it,lt,lv,mt,nl,pl,pt,ro,sk,sl,sv,&val=286903:cs http://eur-lex.europa.eu/Notice.do?mode=dbl&lang=en&...). I.e., Swedish producers can sell washed eggs in Sweden. In 2005 a safety study was commissioned, which turned out positive: "Taking into account the very low prevalence of Salmonella spp. in Swedish egg production, the risk associated with egg washing using the current system under strict rules is considered to be outweighed by the advantages of egg washing." (http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/269.htm http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/269.htm) Apparently 9 Swedish egg packeries and one in the Netherland was granted the exception, which was subsequently extended at least to 2007. I couldn't see any information about the current status, but if Swedish producers still sell the eggs, they probably do it under the same form of exemption.

arrrg 14y ago

There are always going to be exceptions in the EU. That’s just how it is. It would have been nice if the article were a bit more accurate, but the basic story is very true.

kawsper 14y ago

And in Denmark the eggs are also refrigerated.

timc3 14y ago

Hate Swedish supermarket eggs. Open the packet and it just is a disappointment. (Grew up on farm with plenty of fresh brown beautiful eggs).