23.07.2013
Proposed guidance released by the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) suggests the use of measures such as high walls and netting to limit Salmonella Enteritidis contamination of eggs from free-range hens.
The guidance outlines practical and reasonable safety controls to help egg producers comply with the agency's 4-year-old Egg Safety Rule. The proposed guidance will be relevant for egg farms certified as organic by the US Department of Agriculture, since such farms have to provide hens with outdoor access. Producers are required to conduct environmental sampling for SE in indoor areas, and sampling is recommended but not required for outdoor areas that are not part of a house.
The FDA is inviting public comments on the draft guidance for 60 days.
See: Draft guidance