15.06.2013
To support the consumption of high quality, safe eggs, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) adopted a new section 1350 (Shell Egg Safety) and amended Section 1354 (Marking Requirements) of Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations. These regulations require any in-state or out-of-state egg producer or egg handler selling chicken eggs in California to implement Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis (SE) reduction measures and label products accordingly. The requirements will be implemented in phases beginning on July 1, 2013. The Department will engage in outreach and education efforts to assist producers and handlers in complying with these requirements.
Phase l: effective July 1, 2013:
Enhanced Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) Testing and Vaccination:
- Applies to all flocks with 3,000 or more laying hens and a hatch date of 7/1/2013 or later, whose eggs are sold in California.
- Laying hens whose shell eggs are pasteurized or otherwise processed to reduce the risk of SE consistent with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards (5 log reduction) are exempt.
- Implements FDA Egg Safety Rule (21 CFR Part 118).
- Also requires:
• Two additional environmental SE tests, one on chick papers when chicks are delivered, and one at the end of the egg laying life of a flock; and
• A flock vaccination program to protect against SE, which includes a minimum two attenuated live vaccinations and one killed or inactivated vaccination, or a demonstrated equivalent SE vaccination program approved by CDFA.
Phase II, Effective January 1, 2015:
Reduced Stocking Density (minimum floor space per hen) and Product Labeling:
- Stocking density requirements apply to all chickens whose eggs are sold in California, regardless of flock size.
- Laying hens whose shell eggs are pasteurized or otherwise processed to reduce the risk of SE consistent with FDA standards (5 log reduction) are exempt.
- Requires a minimum floor space per hen dependent on the number of hens in the enclosure:
|
# of Hens
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
~9
|
|
Square Inches/Hen
|
322
|
205
|
166
|
146
|
135
|
127
|
121
|
117
|
116
|
- The principal display panel for containers for all eggs sold in California must have the following statement: "California Shell Egg Food Safety Compliant, " or equivalent appr