An egg a day campaign launched- UK - Antony Worrall Thompson is today backing a new campaign urging consumers to eat an egg a day, as part of a healthy diet.

The campaign, which is part of British Egg Week (6-12 October) and which follows a resurgence in the popularity of eggs, will see the new ‘egg a day’ logo on pack, from mid-October onwards. The campaign is supported by a plethora of research extolling the virtues of eggs and is intended to allay any lingering doubts about how many eggs you can eat in a week and show that eggs aren’t just for those on the Atkins diet.

In recent months evidence has shown that, far from being something that people should limit, eggs contain significant amounts of nutrients that can actually help protect against illnesses.

The latest studies have suggested that adolescent teenage girls who eat an egg a day give themselves added protection against developing breast cancer in later life; that including an egg a day in the diet can help to keep weight down; and eggs have also been cited as an ideal weaning food that is practical and that babies tend to like.

Antony Worrall Thompson said, "Seeing a return to cooking with simple, good quality British ingredients is marvellous. Basic food commodities like eggs should be in everyone’s store cupboard and yes, they should be part of our daily diet".

In addition to this weight of research, the long held views about dietary cholesterol adversely affecting blood cholesterol levels have now been dispelled. It is now acknowledged that for most of the population, eating an egg a day has no significant effect on blood cholesterol levels.

"While the long held views about eggs are now evident in the scientific arena, consumers are still not confident about eating seven in a week. However, eggs are fabulously nutritious, packed with protein and essential vitamins, they are also low in calories. For most of the population, it makes no scientific sense to restrict their consumption. They provide the perfect alternative to modern day convenience foods like burgers and chips. This campaign will show consumers that they can eat their daily egg, knowing that it’s doing them some good," said Cath MacDonald, nutritionist for the British Egg Information Service.

There is also good news on the food safety front following the return of the British Lion campaign. British Lion eggs come from hens vaccinated against salmonella, are fully traceable and carry a best before date on the eggshell and box showing that they are fresher than required by law.

Source: British Egg Information Service (BEIS) - 6th October 2003