Under the FDA Egg Rule, what is the egg testing sampling plan described?

• A. Environmental testing plus egg testing
• B. Only egg testing
• C. Only environmental testing
• D. No testing required

Answer: (A)

The plan combines two complementary surveillance ways: testing the production environment and testing the eggs themselves. Salmonella enteritidis can be present in the hens’ environment—litter, surfaces, equipment, and drops in the housing—and it can contaminate eggs during formation or via contact after laying. By doing environmental testing, producers can detect contamination sources and take corrective actions to control the organism in the house. By testing eggs, they directly verify whether eggs coming from the operation are contaminated and need to be diverted or further processed. Using both approaches provides a fuller picture of safety and helps prevent contaminated eggs from reaching consumers, which is why the described plan is environmental testing plus egg testing.