Saturday, May 16, 2026

Proper farm management ensures clean eggs

 We are still getting questions from customers about washing eggs and if eggs should be stored in a refrigerator The answer to both is NO!

American egg farms wash their eggs before sending them to market, in the mistaken belief that it will minimise the spread of any salmonella bacteria on the outside of the egg. They ignore the fact that washing removes a cuticle from the surface of the egg- a natural barrier which helps keep the inside of the egg free from bacteria. After washing eggs must then be refrigerated so that any bacteria the eggs come in contact with post-washing doesn't have a chance to invade the egg. In Australia and many other countries, eggs are not washed as a matter of course which means that
the cuticles will keep the egg’s interiors safe from any bacterial invasion for at least a couple of weeks at room temperature. Washing eggs generates more potential health problems. If eggs are so dirty that they need to be washed before sale, there is a flock management problem which the producer needs to rectify. Nest boxes and laying sheds must be kept clean with hens on fresh pasture (rather than on mud or manure).At Freeranger Eggs. Our management ensures that nestboxes are cleaned regularly with fresh woodshavings in each nest. Eggs are collected and packaged every day.

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