| Last July, the Food and Drug Administration, FDA, | | | | holes, leaking manure, and water contaminated with |
| enacted new egg-safety regulations in response to a | | | | salmonella at Hillandale Farms. Clearly, both farms |
| nationwide epidemic of salmonella poisoning. A recent | | | | would have failed environmental tests for salmonella. |
| investigation into conditions at the two Iowa farms | | | | Even if the new FDA regulations were properly |
| responsible for over 1,500 incidents of salmonella | | | | followed, they would not rival California's Egg Quality |
| poisoning, however, revealed that they were ill | | | | Assurance Plan, a program designed to prevent the |
| equipped to implement and follow the new rules. | | | | presence of salmonella and chemical residues in eggs |
| 40% of California eggs--the state in which nearly 300 | | | | coming from California farms. During the average |
| people have become ill from salmonella-contaminated | | | | 2-year lifespan of California hens, egg farmers will |
| eggs--came from these same farms. | | | | vaccinate the hens 3 times, perform 5 environmental |
| The new laws require farms to test the environment | | | | checks, and test their feed for salmonella 6 times. |
| surrounding egg-laying areas three times a year for | | | | Compare this rigorous safety program to that |
| salmonella. At Wright County Farms--the egg farm | | | | mandated by the FDA: larger eggs farms are required |
| sited for numerous safety violations over the years | | | | to purchase young chickens (pullets) from farms that |
| and that has been forced to recall over half a billion | | | | screen for salmonella, create and implement protocols |
| eggs due to contamination--FDA investigators found | | | | for preventing the infestation of facilities by pests, |
| egregious safety violations: maggot-infested manure; | | | | and perform three environmental tests for salmonella. |
| doors propped open with 8-foot-high piles of manure, | | | | The new FDA rules do not even require farmers to |
| in effect, allowing entry for wildlife; and wild birds | | | | vaccinate their birds. |
| flying through laying houses. Inspectors found rodent | | | | |