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EGG REGULATIONS AMENDMENTS STRENGTHEN HEALTH AND SAFETY PROVISIONS

OTTAWA, September 29, 2006 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has published amendments to the Egg Regulations in Canada Gazette to strengthen certain health and safety provisions. Most of the elements of the amendments affect registered egg stations where eggs are graded.

These regulatory amendments establish some of the requirements necessary for egg stations operating under a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points system, thereby enhancing the health and safety of shell eggs marketed in Canada.

Registered egg grading establishments will be required to document and implement a quality assurance program, a pest control program and an employee training program. The amendment package includes the requirements to physically separate graded and ungraded eggs; to lower the storage temperature for graded eggs; to prohibit the presence of dirt on Canada B grade eggs; and to prohibit the movement of eggs returned from retail stores, to the egg station and back onto the table market. The regulations would also allow the implementation of new technology whereby pasteurization of shell eggs under controlled conditions could take place.

An amendment is also included to adjust the minimum weight for Extra Large Size eggs that would result in greater supply of these eggs to consumers and would generally provide greater uniformity among individual eggs within a carton.

Certain provisions have a delayed “coming-into-force” date in order to allow industry sufficient time to make any necessary changes to their facilities. The Canadian egg industry has a strong track record for the safety of eggs. Industry has been involved since the beginning of the amendment process to make sure that this regulation package reflects the current realities of Canadian egg production.

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