The recall by the US Food and Drug Administration of 550 million table eggs that were found to be contaminated by Salmonella enteritidis bacteria is unrelated in any way to US chicken meat production. The recalled eggs were produced at two large layer farms in the state of Iowa. These farms are located more than 800 kilometers from the closest broiler facilities approved for export of chicken meat to Russia, which are in the state of Arkansas.

“The poultry meat and egg segments of the US poultry industry are completely separate entities. The products never come in contact with each other and are produced at separate facilities remotely located from one another, which fully excludes any possibility of cross-contamination. In addition, the safety of poultry meat and table eggs produced in the US is controlled by two different federal agencies: the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the US Department of Agriculture ensures the safety of poultry meat and the Food and Drug Administration of the US Department of Health and Human Services ensures the safety of table eggs. Moreover, US table eggs have not been supplied to Russia since the end of 1999,” said Jim Sumner, President of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council.

“All US poultry facilities that have received permits for exports of poultry meat to Russia are currently using new technologies of poultry carcass disinfection which are in full compliance with Russian requirements on the safety of poultry products, including the presence of such pathogens as salmonella bacteria,” said Mark Lobstein, Director of Technical Services, USAPEEC.

“The safety of US poultry meat and its compliance with Russian requirements is guaranteed at all stages of the production process by the US Department of Agriculture.,” Mr Sumner noted.