4. Discussion
In Australia and most European countries, there is some debate on
the benefits of washing eggs. Previous research suggests that washing
removes faecal material and reduces microbial load on the egg shell
surface which could ultimately reduce the likelihood of horizontal
transmission occurring as well as reducing the potential for cross
contamination during food handling/preparation. However, research
has also proved that wet washing can damage the cuticle layer (which
prevents the entry of bacteria across the egg shell) thereby leavingpores exposed and potentiating bacterial penetration (Sparks and
Burgess, 1993). Egg washing is widely used in many countries
including Australia (Hutchison et al., 2004). European Union countries
do not recommend washing grade A table eggs on the basis that the
washing of eggs increases the likelihood of spoilage and moisture loss
from the egg contents, due to destruction of the outer cuticle layer
(Hutchison et al., 2004). In Australia, a study conducted by Cox et al.
(2002) has highlighted the importance of removing faecal material
from the egg shell surface. Cox et al. (2002) observed that Salmonella
Infantis strain inoculated onto the surface of the egg could penetrate
the egg shell and had the potential to grow within the contents of the
egg. However in their experiment, the dose of bacterial inoculation
was very high and, moreover, eggs were washed in 70% ethanol prior
to external inoculation which may have damaged the cuticle, reducing
its protective properties. There is still the possibility that high
microbial contamination of the egg shell surface can increase the
likelihood of internal contamination of eggs. Additionally, egg shell
quality factors can also affect the entry of microorganisms across the
egg shell.
4. DiscussionIn Australia and most European countries, there is some debate onthe benefits of washing eggs. Previous research suggests that washingremoves faecal material and reduces microbial load on the egg shellsurface which could ultimately reduce the likelihood of horizontaltransmission occurring as well as reducing the potential for crosscontamination during food handling/preparation. However, researchhas also proved that wet washing can damage the cuticle layer (whichprevents the entry of bacteria across the egg shell) thereby leavingpores exposed and potentiating bacterial penetration (Sparks andBurgess, 1993). Egg washing is widely used in many countriesincluding Australia (Hutchison et al., 2004). European Union countriesdo not recommend washing grade A table eggs on the basis that thewashing of eggs increases the likelihood of spoilage and moisture lossfrom the egg contents, due to destruction of the outer cuticle layer(Hutchison et al., 2004). In Australia, a study conducted by Cox et al.(2002) has highlighted the importance of removing faecal materialfrom the egg shell surface. Cox et al. (2002) observed that SalmonellaInfantis strain inoculated onto the surface of the egg could penetratethe egg shell and had the potential to grow within the contents of theegg. However in their experiment, the dose of bacterial inoculationwas very high and, moreover, eggs were washed in 70% ethanol priorto external inoculation which may have damaged the cuticle, reducing
its protective properties. There is still the possibility that high
microbial contamination of the egg shell surface can increase the
likelihood of internal contamination of eggs. Additionally, egg shell
quality factors can also affect the entry of microorganisms across the
egg shell.
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