Gordon MP says consumers can have confidence in Scottish eggs and poultry
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MP for Gordon Constituency Richard Thomson has backed the message from the NFUS that the public can buy Scottish eggs and poultry with trust and confidence.
The message comes as Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is reminding consumers to take care when handling and cooking poultry products at home, including chilled and frozen chicken and turkey drumsticks, breasts, thighs and chicken pieces.
This is due to a significant rise in cases of the food-borne disease, Salmonella, linked to eggs and poultry meat imported from Poland causing the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) to issue new warnings,
Across Great Britain this year, there have now been more than 200 cases of human food poisoning caused by Salmonella Enteritidis linked to poultry products imported from Poland.
Warnings have been issued to food manufacturers, retailers, caterers, and consumers.
A specific warning has been sent by FSA and FSS to local authorities asking its enforcement officers to pay increased attention to businesses importing products of animal origin (POAO), mainly poultry meat and egg products from Poland, and those businesses handling these products at catering, retail or wholesale.
It has also asked local authorities to reiterate the need for any food service companies using Polish poultry products to practice best hygiene at all times.
NFU Scotland’s Poultry Working Group Chair Robert Thompson said: “Millions of Scots enjoy fresh, tasty eggs and chicken every day and our advice to them is that you can buy our products with confidence so make sure you seek out Scottish produce to put on your plate.
“Health and hygiene on Scottish farms, including a programme to vaccinate and test for Salmonella, means our standards remain amongst the highest in the world and all parts of the chain strive to ensure we have only the freshest, safest eggs and chicken available to buy.
“However, identifying the country of origin of chicken and eggs used in food service, catering and manufactured goods, including the sandwich trade, is exceedingly difficult if not impossible.
“I support recent calls from NFU Scotland for a new labelling initiative backed by Governments, retailers, food processors, the food service sector, catering and consumers to properly recognise the high production standards here and make it easier for all parts of the food chain to support domestic production.
"A label that could clearly identify food products where more than 50 percent of ingredients had been sourced from outside the UK would allow consumers to make more informed choices.
"Many will be unaware that the ‘egg’ in their egg mayonnaise sandwich is all too often imported and processed here in the UK.
Commenting, Richard Thomson MP said: “Food Standards Scotland are right to highlight the warnings regarding the rise in food-borne salmonella which is linked to imports from Poland of eggs and poultry.
“It serves to underscore the confidence that consumers can have in Scottish-produced eggs and poultry products which must meet stringent health and animal welfare standards.
“This should also serve as a wake-up call to the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade who, just last week, were still refusing to accept that imported egg products should be subject to the same health and welfare legislation that our farmers and producers must adhere to.
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