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 »

An illegal poultry farm in Papakura has been shut down in a joint operation between the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA), the Police, Environment Waikato, Franklin District Council and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Representatives from the various agencies last week executed search warrants on two rural properties in South Auckland under the Animal Products Act on the basis of the illegal slaughter and sale of poultry and eggs to a number of Auckland retailers. It is essential that... ...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 »