Article: Regulations: Eggs and Food Safety -- September 2009
Eggs. On July 9, 2009, (74 FR 33030) the Food and Drug Administration
issued its Final Rule on the Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation.
The Final Rule amends 21 CFR Part 16, but the most important provisions of the
regulation can be found at 21 CFR 118.
Part 118.1 identifies persons who are covered in whole or in part by the
Final Rule, as (1) shell egg producers with 3,000 or more laying hens at a
particular farm; (2) who do not sell directly to consumers and; (3) who produce
for the “table market.” If eggs are “treated” at the farm, “mean(ing) a
technology or process that achieves at least a 5-log destruction of SE for shell eggs, or the processing of
egg products in accordance with the Egg Products Inspection Act,” only the
refrigeration requirements of section 118.4(e) and the registration
requirements of section 118.11 apply. If a person with 3,000 or more laying
hens transports or holds shell eggs, that person must comply with the
refrigeration requirements.