Even as the avian flu continues to affect birds and the local egg supply, health experts say eggs remain safe to eat.
Commercially available eggs pass through testing, grading and inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the agencies that share responsibility for the safety of eggs before they hit your plate.
Federal inspections of egg farms with multiple millions of birds occur four times a year.
California’s agriculture department further regulates the safety of eggs produced, shipped or sold here — ensuring they go through an industrial washing and sanitization process.
All eggs sold in California from farms with 3,000 chickens or more, whether originating within or being imported from outside of this “egg-deficit” state, go through additional measures and labeling rigors implemented a decade ago to combat bacterial contamination by Salmonella enteritidis.
Meanwhile, the California health safety code outlines — down to the degree and second — how long eggs should be handled and prepared in restaurants, and which health advisories should be included on menus to inform diners of the risks if they choose to depart from these standards.
And while massive egg recalls by household brands like Costco’s Kirkland Signature show that even multiple layers of food safety protocols are not infallible, health experts say it is highly unlikely you will get a bad egg, especially one contaminated by avian flu.
Who to contact:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration:
Visit the FDA’s Safety Reporting Portal to report a complaint about a product, or call 1-888-SAFEFOOD (723-3366).
Meat and Poultry Hotline of the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
File a complaint online or call 1-888-MPHotline (674-6854), and see the USDA’s Problems With Food Products page for more guidance.
California Department of Food and Agriculture Animal Health and Food Safety Services: Meat, Poultry and Egg Safety Branch:
Email cdfa.mpes_feedback@cdfa.ca.gov or call (916) 900-5004 with questions, concerns and feedback.
To file a complaint or report unregistered eggs, email CDFA.ESQM_Inquiries@cdfa.ca.gov or call (916) 900-5062.
California Department of Public Health:
File any complaints about commercially processed food to the Food & Drug branch of CDPH by filling out an online form or calling the automated 24-hour hotline at 1(800) 495-3232.
County Environmental Health Departments
File any complaints about food you consumed at a retail facility (e.g. restaurants, food trucks, cafeterias, cafés, etc.) or unsanitary conditions by contacting your county’s environmental health department.