The Food Standards Agency for first time in 15 years said raw eggs can be eaten by pregnant women. A report by the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food states claimed that eggs produced by Lion code are at very low level of risk of having salmonella contamination. This led the FSA to reconsider its warning against consumption of raw UK eggs by pregnant women.

The report stated that since the 2001 ACMSF report, there has been major fall in the presence of risk of salmonella in UK hen shell eggs. The latest report presents strong view of the safety committee in support of raw eggs by Lion code. In fact, the safety can be assured with specially eggs under the company due it promising quality assurance scheme.

The eggs made under the Lion code or that had followed equivalent comprehensive schemes as the company have ‘very low’ risk level that indicates they can be eaten raw or as lightly cooked by everybody, including those more vulnerable to infection, in both domestic and non-domestic settings, among them care homes and hospitals. More vulnerable people include pregnant women, the young and the elderly, but not severely immunocompromised individuals.

“Following committee approval and a UK-wide consultation of the report, the FSA has agreed to examine its advice taking into account the committee’s conclusions and recommendations”, said FSA in a statement.

The FSA has always advised that eating raw eggs and eggs with runny yolks and food that is uncooked or lightly cooked containing raw eggs may cause food poisoning. It said it has launched an eight week-consultation in response to the report.

According to a report in Tele Graph by Katie Morley, "Tighter hygiene standards within UK hen farms mean British "Red Lion"-approved eggs are now free from salmonella, a potentially deadly bacteria which has been previously associated with eating raw eggs."

Salmonella, which can be killed by cooking, is transferred from the guts of chickens and infects eggs before they are laid. They can also be contaminated by contact with faeces from infected chickens and other contaminated material.

"The report is particularly relevant for mothers - we know that the current advice has meant that many women avoid eggs during pregnancy and weaning, yet health experts say that eggs are an important food for both mothers and babies.

A report published in The Guardian revealed, "It is now recommending that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) considers amending its advice on eating eggs for those "vulnerable" to infection. The report says: "It was the strong view of the working group that there has been a major reduction in the microbiological risk from salmonella in UK hen shell eggs since the 2001 ACMSF report."

"In practical terms, the group considered that the `very low' risk level means that UK eggs produced under the Lion code, or under demonstrably equivalent comprehensive schemes, can be served raw or lightly cooked to all groups in society, including those that are more vulnerable to infection, in domestic and non-domestic settings, including care homes and hospitals."

The committee adds that the recommendation is not intended to include "severely immunocompromised individuals", but does include "vulnerable groups in general including pregnant women, the young and the elderly".