Caterers told to stick to British eggs or risk poisoning customers

Caterers should stick to using British eggs or face putting customers' health at risk, according to the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC).

The recommendation comes after massive levels of salmonella contamination were found at some European poultry farms.

A preliminary report, leaked to the BBC's Newsnight, from Europe's Food Safety Authority, found British farms had only an 8% egg contamination level, compared with 62% in the Czech Republic, 55% in Poland and 51% in Spain.

Andrew Joret, deputy chairman of the BEIC, said: "We believe that imports of eggs into the UK should be banned unless they have been produced to the standards required by the British Lion scheme."

These standards include the vaccination of hens against salmonella, a best-before date on every egg and full traceability of eggs, hens and feed.

Of the eggs eaten in this country 85% are produced in the UK. The rest are imported from Europe.

By Alix Young

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