The National Chicken Council (NCC) has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow surplus broiler eggs to be processed into egg products under USDA oversight.
A 2009 FDA rule requiring refrigeration of all eggs within 36 hours of lay prevents broiler eggs from entering the egg-breaking supply, leading to the waste of an estimated 5.4 billion eggs. NCC argues that pasteurization effectively eliminates salmonella, ensuring food safety. The ongoing avian influenza outbreak and record-high egg prices further highlight the need for regulatory flexibility.
Allowing surplus broiler eggs for processing would ease supply shortages, reduce waste and provide affordable protein for consumers, the group said.
