Consumer demand for the use of British egg products, and clearer labelling of the origin of eggs used in prepared foods, has increased significantly following the Fipronil scandal, according to new research.
The independent research, commissioned by British Lion Egg Processors, showed that three quarters of UK shoppers now say British eggs should always be used in prepared foods.
This figure has increased from two thirds since eggs from farms implicated in the scandal on the continent were imported and were found to have been used in prepared food on sale in the UK, including supermarket salads, sandwich fillers and a range of catering products.
More than half of shoppers are unhappy that imported eggs are currently being used.
The results also show that more than 80% of shoppers now want prepared foods to clearly show the eggs’ country of origin on the packaging, up from 70% before the contamination became public knowledge.
'Positive step'
Ian Jones, Chairman of British Lion Egg Processors, said it is important to now buy British eggs.
“The results are clear - the Fipronil contamination has underlined how important the use of British eggs in prepared foods is to consumers and we now ask retailers, food manufacturers and caterers to make a positive step towards giving them what they want,” Mr Jones said.
“It is clear that shoppers are increasingly concerned about the ingredients used in manufactured food and now more than ever need reassurance that their food is produced using quality British ingredients that are produced to high standards of food safety.
“The longer these inconsistent standards are allowed to happen, the more disappointed consumers are likely to become.
“Now is the time for food manufacturers, caterers and retailers to listen to the concerns of their customers and reassure them by specifying the use of British Lion eggs and using the ‘Made with British Lion eggs’ logo on packs.”
'Stringent production'
Robert Gooch, chief executive of the British Free Range Egg Producers' Association (BFREPA), also called for both retailers and manufacturers to buy British eggs produced under quality codes like Lion and Laid in Britain.
“British egg producers follow stringent production standards to ensure that what they produce is perfectly safe and nutritious for consumers to eat,” he said.
“Consumers want safe, traceable food and we have ready-made schemes which delivers that in the form of the British Lion Code and Lain in Britain.”
