If you see the Lion Quality mark on egg shells or egg boxes, this
means that the eggs have been produced to the highest standards
of food safety in the world!
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In 1998 the Lion Quality Code of Practice
was launched and new food safety procedures were introduced
incorporating the latest research findings to ensure the
highest standards of food safety in the world. These include
compulsory vaccination against Salmonella Enteritidus
of all pullets intended for Lion egg-producing flocks, improved
traceability of eggs and a "best-before" date
stamped on the shell and pack which shows that they are
fresher than required by law, and on-farm and packing station
hygiene controls.
A Government committee produced a report highlighting the
effectiveness of poultry vaccination in reducing human salmonella
cases by half. This was carried out in 2001.
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More than 28,000 UK produced eggs were tested by
the FSA (Food Standards Agency) and no salmonella
was found inside any of them. Only nine eggs had salmonella on
the shell - and these would not normally pose a health risk if
the eggs were handled correctly.
This contrasts with the most recent HPA (Health
Protection Agency) tests on imported Spanish eggs, of which
nearly seven per cent tested positive for salmonella.
Spanish eggs have also been linked with a food poisoning outbreak
at a cafe in central London in 2004, with one-third
of the Spanish eggs used by the cafe testing positive for salmonella!
More than 80% of UK eggs are currently produced
under the industry’s voluntary Lion Code of Practice, a
comprehensive programme incorporating the highest standards of
food safety. British Lion egg producers now believe that two of
the Lion Code’s key elements — salmonella vaccination
and a ‘best before’ date stamped on every egg —
should be imposed on all eggs sold in the UK.
So now you can feel safe eating eggs bought in supermarkets
- and if you don't see the stamp - dont buy them!
Here are a few key points from the Lion
Quality Code of 1998:
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All hens producing Lion Quality eggs must have
been vaccinated against Salmonella Enteritidis.
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All Lion Quality eggs have a ‘best before’
date on the box and on the egg itself, which shows that they
are fresher than required by law.
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A registration and ‘passport’ system
ensures complete traceability of Lion Quality eggs, hens and
feed.
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There are increased hygiene controls and Salmonella
testing right through the production system.
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The Code also incorporates higher standards
of animal welfare than required by law.
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The Lion Code of Practice includes stringent
feed controls, including production of feed to UKAS standards
and the banning of growth promoters and canthaxthin.
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In January 2000 the Lion mark was also re-introduced
onto the shells of eggs produced under the Lion Code of Practice.
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The Lion Quality mark on eggs and egg packs
is an assurance that the eggs have been produced to standards
of hygiene and animal welfare greater than those required by
UK or EU law.
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The Lion Quality mark is a registered trademark
and can only be used by BEIC on egg shells and egg boxes which
have been produced in accordance with the Lion Code of Practice
and UK and EU law.
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The Lion Code of Practice is monitored by an
independent agency. Farms and packing stations are audited annually.
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