TheSalmonellaprevalence rate on the external surface of retail
eggs sampled in the current study was 3.5%. This was higher than
rates identified in other studies, including a recent retail survey in
New Zealand, identifyingSalmonellaon the outside of 9 of 514 (1.8%)
egg sample lots, all of which wereS. Infantis (Wilson, 2007). In a study
conducted in the Republic of Ireland, only two surface egg samples
were positive out of 5018 samples from packing plants (Murchie et al.,
2007). The results of the egg samples from retail outlets in SA could be
reflective of the situation through-out Australia as approximately 80%
of eggs available in SA were from interstate sources at the time of the
survey (M Sexton, personal communication, PIRSA). As one dozen
eggs were pooled to create one sample, we do not know how many of
the eggs within each dozen were contaminated; therefore the 3.5%
prevalence would be a maximum. However, dirty and cracked eggs
are suspected to pose a higher risk than clean eggs; cracked eggs were
excluded from current microbiological testing, but dirty eggs were
included in the current study. No internal egg contents were positive
for Salmonella. Consumers should be educated about the risks
associated with eggs from cross contamination and poor hygiene
associated with food preparation, particularly after handling broken,
cracked or dirty eggs, where the contamination of external egg
surfaces withSalmonellais more likely.