Petition calls for supermarket to stop importing eggs
Launched in response to a perceived lack of transparency in the sourcing of egg products in pre-prepared foods, the petition called on supermarkets to stop using imported egg products and inform consumers if they are used as an ingredient.
British Lion Egg Processors added: “In recent years there have been a number of food safety issues associated with egg products produced in Europe and further afield. Using imported eggs also adds unnecessary food miles and does not guarantee the high standards set out in the Code of Practice for the Production of Lion Quality Egg Products.
Consumer expectations
“With boxes of shell eggs on sale in major retailers clearly labelled and produced to British Lion standards, consumers expect egg ingredients to be British and produced to the same high standards.”
The petition has gone on to receive support from MPs including Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee chair Neil Parish, as well as celebrity influencers including Myleene Klass and The Georgia Edit.
Andrew Joret, British Egg Industry Council Chairman, said: the petition would make a huge difference in encouraging more retailers to ‘buy British’.
‘Right to choose’
“It shows just how strongly people feel about their right to choose food made with eggs that meet the highest food safety standards and support British farmers,” he added. “Consumers deserve to be told clearly where the eggs in their food come from, whether it’s an egg sandwich, quiche or a scotch egg.
“We have already had positive feedback from some retailers and this milestone will help remind them, and others, how important this issue is to British consumers. Our mission now is to continue raising awareness and encouraging others to support the movement.”
Meanwhile, exports, supply of labour and the future of egg replacement products were some of the key developments discussed with agriculture director at Noble Foods Graham Atkinson in our exclusive interview.
