A salmonella outbreak has resulted in the recall of a half-billion eggs distributed across the country. Apparently the contamination is linked to eggs produced at two Iowa farms and the feds ha e stepped in to prevent the spread of illness-causing bacteria. At least 21 Wisconsin residents have reprotedly gotten sick from eating the eggs in various forms and the egg recall total continues to rise.
There is a solution beyond the recall for eggs consumers. A number of studies have found that cage-free eggs produced and purchased from farms with free-range chickens significantly reduce the risk of salmonella contamination. According to the U. S. Humane Society, confining hens in cages --as many large eggs producers do -- increases the risk of salmonella. The HSUS claims that a 2010 study found that salmonella enteriditis -- the disease involved in the egg recall -- is seven times greater if hens are kept in cages.
Cage-free hens, however, generally have 2-3 times more space per bird and the bacterial disease risk is considerably less. "and to our non-vegan friends that live in (Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and three other states affected by the recall), the eggs . . . were distributed under the brand names Lucerne, Albertson, Mount Dairy, Ralph's. Boomsman's, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms, and Kemp." (For more information on this response, see http://www.thisdishisvegetarian.com/2010/08/0715massive-egg-recall-prompts-humane.html 8/20/2010.
As with many other farm products sold in stores, alternatives cost more money. Cage-free eggs come from free-range chickens who eat corn, fruit and vegetables for feed that contains no animal byproducts. Prices in the Madison area vary widely but cage-free eggs cost more than the traditional grade A. Sparboe Farms, a family-owned business since 1954, sells regular eggs at $1.19 a dozen at SuperTarget ($1.78 for a carton of 18). Cage-free from the same farm have been selling for $2.84 a dozen, with a sale price of $2.38 for 30 large brown cage-free eggs. Metcalfe's is an upscale grocery store that sells many varieties of organic foods including cage-free eggs. Phil's human certified cage-free eggs go fo $2.69 a dozen. Egg Innovations sells American humane certified cage-free eggs, priced at Metcalfe's at $3.99 a dozen. Organic Valley, the largest organic farm operation in the U.S., produces USDA certified organic cage-free eggs for $4.89.
A main difference is in the ingredients, or lack of them. No animal byproducts or additives and 250 mg of Omega - 3 per egg and, in some varieties, 300 mg of lutein per egg. Omega-3 is found in fish oils and is an antioxidant. Lutein is a yellow or orange pigment found in some fruits and vegetables, concentrated in our retinas and necessary for good vision. For more information on lutein, go to the following Web site: http://nutrition.about.com/od/phytochemicals/p/Lutein.htm.
The best way to remember to buy cage free eggs is to think about whether people would like being caged or jailed while they did their daily work. If shoppers really believe in quality and safety, cage-free eggs may finally come out from behind the small, obscured organic sections of grocery stores and dairy cases and become best sellers.
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