Pasteurized Shell Eggs Give Consumers Safe, Salmonella-Free Option During Holiday Meal Season

LANSING, Ill., Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In the wake of news about food safety concerns regarding eggs, it's important for consumers to know their options for safe eggs during the holiday meal season. National Pasteurized Eggs (NPE), which produces Davidson's Safest Choiceä pasteurized shell eggs, offers a safe, salmonella-free solution for consumers worried about food safety. An FDA investigation recently found serious safety violations and unsanitary conditions at a national egg processor, prompting large retailers and restaurant chains to discontinue use of eggs from its farms.

Safest Choice pasteurized shell eggs are processed using an FDA-approved standard for pasteurization and are recognized by the USDA to inactivate salmonella and avian influenza virus. The FDA estimates 2.3 million contaminated eggs enter the food supply each year and therefore is making eggs a top priority.

"We know consumers are concerned about egg safety and egg consumption increases during holiday meal preparation," said NPE President Greg West. "We want people to know there is a safe choice available in pasteurized eggs. Pasteurizing eggs is simply the best way to allow consumers to enjoy soft-boiled, over easy and sunny-side up eggs, as well as holiday favorites like egg nog and French silk pie, without the worry of egg-related salmonella poisoning."

Salmonella enteritidis is found on and inside shell eggs. Among bacteria, salmonella is the No. 1 cause of foodborne illness. Four out of five salmonellosis (food poisoning) cases come from raw or undercooked eggs. Everyone is at risk for egg-related Salmonellosis, but older adults, young children, pregnant women, and persons with weakened immune systems are at increased risk for serious illness or even death.

Safest Choice eggs come in Certified Humane® cage-free and all-natural varieties, both are Kosher and guaranteed salmonella free. Safest Choice eggs come from hens fed all-vegetarian diets with no animal by-products antibiotics or hormones added to their feed. They also offer great taste, winning the American Culinary Foundation's Seal of Approval in 2010.

NPE's eggs are distributed under the name Davidson's Safest Choice brand in 50 states, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Safest Choice is the fastest growing brand among the top 100 egg products nationally*. They are carried by retailers including Shaw's, ShopRite, Big Y, Harris Teeter, Lowe's, Publix, Giant Eagle, Jewel, HEB, HyVee, Bristol Farms, Sunflower, Gelson's and others. For information, visit www.safeeggs.com, call 708-418-8500, or follow NPE on Twitter and Facebook.  

* Prior 24 weeks ending 10/2/11, Symphony IRI Group.

SOURCE Davidson’s Safest Choice