Question of the week: Backyard eggs in the canteen

Each week we receive many calls and emails from our members about a variety of topics. This week we received a call on our telephone support line about using backyard eggs that were laid by home-raised chickens in the canteen. We researched the information and here’s the answer.

Q. Can I bring eggs into the canteen that my chickens have laid in my backyard?

A. Yes. However, the NSW Food Authority requests that you fill in a notification form, to say you’re a small egg producer. A small egg producer is someone who produces less than 20 dozen eggs per week. The purpose of this form is to ensure egg producers are meeting the food safety standards.

Follow this link to find the notification form:

http://www.foodnotify.nsw.gov.au/index.cfm?action=business

To learn more about the food safety standards for small egg farms, read the following links:

http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/industry/industry-sector-requirements/eggs/small-egg-farms/#.U9c9URwp0cs

http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/_Documents/industry_pdf/egg_notified.pdf

To reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses, such as salmonella, which are common with eggs, it is important to ensure that correct food hygiene and safety procedures are followed in the canteen.

How to ensure your eggs are safe:

1. Store eggs in the refrigerator.
2. Use clean eggs, free from dirt and cracks. Bugs can often be hiding in dirt, chicken poo and feathers. Do NOT wash eggs before cracking – eggshells become porous when wet which makes it easier for bugs to enter. Always discard dirty or cracked eggs.
3. Cook eggs thoroughly.
4. Consume eggs within the recommended time frame. This can be up to three weeks assuming the eggs have been stored in the fridge.

For more information on food safety and eggs visit the NSW Food Authority’s website.

http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/consumers/keeping-food-safe/special-care-foods/eggs/

http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/eggstorage.html