The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Egg Group has been working closely with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Primary Industries (DPI) on their State-wide campaign to educate consumers and the food industry about egg care as part of National Food Safety Week. President of the VFF Egg Group Brian Ahmed said over the past 12 months the group had been in consultation with the Departments to develop a leaflet that will give consumers, the food service industry and retailers... ...Read more »

A ten-year old English schoolgirl, who started her own business selling duck eggs, has eclipsed Britain’s foodie talent to win the top prize in the ‘Country Living and Waitrose Made in Britain Awards’ and the chance to supply a major supermarket.Elsa Amiss and her parents Rona and Nevil won the overall Food Champion of the Year award for their organic free-range duck and egg-selling business at Higher Fingle Farm in Devon. The title means they will walk away with £10K prize money... ...Read more »

Leading consumer advocate, CHOICE, claims there is an urgent need for a clear and national description of free-range eggs after their investigation found the big producers have redefined the term to suit themselves. Their study also found issues with the freshness levels of free range eggs sold. CHOICE advises there’s no legal definition of ‘free-range’ eggs and the Australian Egg Corporation’s standards don’t meet those recommended by animal welfare organisations. “We... ...Read more »

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Egg Group has warned that egg prices will have to rise if fuel costs continue to soar. VFF Egg Group President Brian Ahmed claimed the egg industry was a victim of the factors leading to rising food prices. “Producers have been forced to absorb much of the historic highs being experienced with grain prices, which represent over 50 per cent of input costs,” Mr Ahmed said. “Now on top of that we are being hit with these fuel price increases.” “Something... ...Read more »

Health authorities have confirmed Pitts Poultry is at fault for a recent salmonella outbreak but no conclusions have yet been made with regard to how the eggs were contaminated. The salmonella outbreak last month affected more than 100 people, and was traced to raw egg products used by a caterer. This latest concern means that Pitts Poultry have been linked to an outbreak of salmonella seven times in the last four years. However, Biosecurity Australia believes that the processes now in place at... ...Read more »