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Press release

Leading South East egg farmers welcome official guidelines encouraging pregnant women to eat more eggs

Hoads Farm Finest Quality Free Range Eggswelcomes news that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has acknowledged that eggs with a ‘British Lion' stamp are safe to eat soft-boiled, poached or fried during pregnancy.

Research showed a large proportion of pregnant women avoided eggs altogether, potentially depriving babies of health benefits and increasing the risk of intolerance.

Guidelines had previously suggested that vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children and the elderly should consider avoiding eating runny eggs because of the risk of salmonella.

Food safety experts say that salmonella has been "effectively eliminated" from British eggs thanks to a vaccination and hygiene programme initiated 15 years ago.

Adrian Potter, Director at Hoads Farm Finest Quality Free Range Eggs, says: "We're pleased to see the FSA encouraging pregnant women to eat more eggs.

"Eggs are a recognised as a ‘superfood' rich in nutrients and vitamins that can provide significant health benefits to both adults and children.

"It's also great to see that food safety experts are happy for pregnant women, children and the elderly to eat runny eggs and are acknowledging that salmonella has effectively been eliminated thanks to the work of the British Lion scheme."

The British Lion scheme - to which Hoads Farm Finest Quality Free Range Eggs belongs - stipulates the highest standards of hygiene and food safety and has been highly influential in this programme.

All eggs bearing the Lion mark have been produced in the UK, and the scheme ensures that all steps of their production are fully traceable.

Established in 1978, Hoads Farm is a producer and packer of Lion quality Free Range eggs based in the South-East. The Company recently completed work on its new state-of-the-art packing centre and grading facilities at Broad Oak, East Sussex. In addition to its own high standards, all of Hoads Farm's eggs are produced under the BEIC Lion Quality and RSPCA Freedom Foods Welfare standard.

Hoads Farm Finest Quality Free Range Eggs are available to buy in Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury's stores across London and the South East.

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