Eggs Containing Salmonella Graded AA by Inspectors

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) inspect the eggs we eat. They grade eggs as “Grade A” or “Jumbo,” for example.The grade mark is also an indication that the eggs are “fit for human food”  But the (AMS) inspectors can grade an egg containing Salmonella E. as “grade AA”.

“We look strictly at the quality of the egg, not the safety,” said Sam Jones, a spokesman for Agricultural Marketing Service. “Safety inspection of the egg is the responsibility of either FDA or FSIS.”

A 2012 federal audit by USDA’s Office of Inspector General – released in December – questioned the standards used by Jones’ office.

Larger egg producers, about one-third of the industry, pay Agricultural Marketing Service to provide onsite certification personnel. Jones is quick to clarify that the USDA grade mark for quality is just that – for quality.

Are eggs Contaminated  with salmonella really “fit for human food” or should the  Agricultural Marketing Service practices be updated. I hate to think that all that money is being spent to make sure that the eggs are pretty.

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