Egg trade group proposes vaccinating hens to prevent Salmonella outbreaks

The United Egg Producers is set to introduce its own rules on egg production that go beyond new federal regulations.

The move is in direct response to the Salmonella outbreak linked to Iowa farms Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms, two farms responsible for many of the eggs consumers eat at restaurants and hotels nationwide.

At least 1,800 people have been confirmed with Salmonella poisoning after eating eggs from these farms in recent months. More than 550 million eggs have been recalled.

Food and Drug Administration investigations have revealed the presence of Salmonella bacteria at several locations on both hen farms, including contaminated feed given to hens too young to lay eggs.

Howard Magwire, VP for government regulations at United Egg Producers, a trade group responsible for self-policing and outreach for egg farmers, said his group wants participating farmers to vaccinate all hens for Salmonella.

United Egg Producers admits the FDA is not equipped with enough manpower to fully inspect hen houses and feed mills, as it is designed to do. The Dept. of Agriculture is responsible for inspecting egg packing facilities.

But vaccinating hens does not mean farms will eliminate Salmonella, or other bacterial, infections.

The FDA’s new egg manufacturing regulations aim to eliminate the sources of Salmonella and other bacteria at farms, but most believe the agency will not be able to enforce its mandates.