The U.S. is sourcing more eggs from Brazil and evaluating imports from other nations to address egg price surges due to bird flu. Regulatory changes may permit the use of eggs from broiler chickens in processed foods, despite food safety concerns. States are temporarily relaxing cage-free regulations to combat the egg supply crisis.

The United States is increasingly turning to Brazil for egg imports, previously designated for pet consumption, amid efforts to mitigate the surge in egg prices caused by the bird flu outbreak. The Trump administration is contemplating adjustments to regulations governing eggs from broiler chickens, which may permit their use in processed foods, thereby easing supply constraints for consumers in grocery stores. Food safety experts have raised concerns about potential contamination linked to these regulations.

The ongoing economic challenges stem from the loss of nearly 170 million birds since early 2022 due to the avian flu. This crisis has led to diminished grocery inventories, increased restaurant menu prices, and a notable 53.6% spike in wholesale egg prices recorded in February. The inflationary pressure on food prices has been exacerbated by the trade disputes impacting supply chains across various sectors.

In February, the administration proposed a $1 billion initiative aimed at stabilizing egg prices, which encompasses measures to assist farmers in virus management and vaccine research. Furthermore, imports from countries such as Turkey, Brazil, and South Korea are being prioritized, expanding from previously minimal shipments.

As per the Brazilian Animal Protein Association, U.S. imports of Brazilian eggs surged by 93% year-on-year in February. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently assessing a proposal from the National Chicken Council to authorize the sale of broiler chicken eggs for human consumption, a practice currently prohibited due to food safety regulations.

Historically, millions of these broiler eggs have been discarded as producers may lack refrigeration to meet FDA requirements. The National Chicken Council argues that these eggs are safe for use in processed foods, following pasteurization, and challenges the FDA’s previous safety concerns. The Council’s senior vice president, Ashley Peterson, indicated the industry’s optimism regarding potential regulatory alignment with current administration objectives.

The agricultural industry discards vast quantities of eggs annually due to regulatory constraints. Annually, approximately 360 million non-hatchable eggs are produced, primarily ending up as waste, despite the existence of innovative uses such as vaccine production or export.

As of January, the Trump administration authorized Brazilian egg imports for human food processing, reflecting Brazil’s compliance with U.S. health standards. However, Brazil’s poultry industry is impacted by Newcastle disease, precluding the export of eggs intended for retail sale in American grocery stores.

In response to the egg supply crisis, several states, including Nevada and Arizona, have temporarily lifted regulations mandating that eggs be sourced from cage-free hens. Amid the current challenges, there appears to be a shift in consumer sentiment regarding egg production methods, underscoring the complex dynamics within the marketplace.

The United States is actively seeking solutions to the ongoing egg shortage caused by the avian influenza outbreak. Measures include increasing imports from Brazil and considering regulatory changes concerning broiler chicken eggs for processed food use. While this strategy aims to alleviate price pressures on consumers, it raises pertinent concerns about food safety and the implications of regulatory adjustments in the poultry industry. As the crisis unfolds, state-level regulatory modifications reflect shifting consumer priorities and market realities.

Original Source: www.usatoday.com

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