Researchers are testing methods that may eliminate the fear of salmonella contamination in raw eggs. Liquid eggs are already pasteurized, but Hongwei Xin of the Egg Industry Center at Iowa State University says researchers are exploring ways to pasteurize shell eggs.
“So eggs are still in the shell, you do the pasteurization and then that will totally eliminate any salmonella,” Xin says.
Cartons containing eggs in the shell are required by federal law to contain a warning about salmonella contamination. Xin says researchers are exploring ways to make it economically feasible to pasteurize eggs in the shell.
“There will be some added costs, but there are some ways to make it cost effective,” Xin says.
A 2010 salmonella outbreak in the U.S. was linked to two Iowa egg farms owned and managed by Jack and Peter DeCoster. The DeCosters were charged last week with selling tainted eggs and court documents indicate they plan to plead guilty at a court hearing on June 3.