How to tell a Scottish Egg
New European legislation requires from 1st January 2004 that all Class A eggs be stamped with a producer code that will identify the production method to the consumer and the farm of origin to competent authorities. The reasons for this are twofold, firstly to inform the consumer of how their eggs have been produced, and secondly for traceability as a result of salmonella food poisoning outbreaks throughout Europe and beyond that have been attributed to eggs. For instance, outbreaks in the UK over the past few years have all been attributed to imported eggs from Spain. This has lead to the Food Standards Agency advising that Spanish eggs should be heat-treated before consumption, in other words they should not be marketed in shell. It is worthy of note that until now you wouldn’t know if you were buying Spanish eggs.
The legislation requires that the characters representing the Member State of Registration be included in the codes to be applied to eggs, in our case UK.
Scotland, with support from Scottish egg producers, has gone one step further in terms of traceability. Eggs produced in Scotland will have the mandatory suffix SCO included in the egg producer code.
Although there have been salmonella outbreaks in the UK over the past few years Scotland has remained clear. Scottish egg producers view the inclusion of SCO to be applied to eggs produced in Scotland as a marketing opportunity. They are to launch a campaign with posters saying “ Are you a True Scot ? “ – “Only the shell can tell “ showing a kilted egg figure looking coyly downwards, which hopes will encourage the consumer to check the origin of the egg.
Scottish egg producers have welcomed the introduction of this legislation and are keen to promote the true origin of Scottish eggs. The following provides consumers with a fully informed choice.
Egg producers selling their produce from the farm gate or locally door-to-door are exempt from stamping eggs. This is on the basis that the origin is already known. Some consumers may wish to buy eggs that haven’t been stamped. They can, by going to their local egg producer direct. Many consumers will actually have a Farm Shop in their locality. If you wish to buy eggs as nature intended them to be then contact the Scottish Egg Producers Association who will be able to direct you to your nearest egg producer / supplier.
You can read more here.
To contact SEPRA:
Phone: +44 (0)1324
715337
Fax: +44 (0)1324 874773
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