Final Group of Egg Producers Subject to FDA’s Egg Safety Rule Must Now Comply

July 9, 2012

As of July 9, 2012, shell egg producers with at least 3,000 but fewer than 50,000 laying hens must comply with FDA’s Egg Safety Rule. The Egg Safety Rule, finalized in 2009 and designed to prevent thousands of illnesses and dozens of deaths each year from consumption of eggs contaminated with Salmonella Enteriditis, requires that shell egg producers put measures into place to prevent Salmonella Enteritidis from contaminating shell eggs during their production, storage and transport. The requirements for industry compliance with the regulations were phased in over a three year period based on the number of laying hens in each operation. FDA has published Guidance for Industry regarding implementation of the Egg Safety Rule, as well as draft guidance (which FDA intends to finalize) that addresses questions the agency has received about the final rule since its publication. FDA also intends to publish draft guidance for producers who provide their laying hens with outdoor access.

Information about the Egg Safety Rule and inspections:

• Egg Safety
• Final Report and Quarterly Summaries on FDA Inspections Under the Egg Safety Rule - A final report on inspections conducted under the Egg Safety Rule between September 2010 and December 2011.