Egg Producers Developed New Safety Training Programs
The egg industry is implementing training to combat rising Salmonella outbreaks and HPAI viral threats.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Organic Food
Live Poll
Should small-scale egg farms be subject to the same strict food safety regulations as large producers?
United Egg Producers and the American Egg Board have launched new food safety training programs for small farmers. These initiatives aim to address recent surges in Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses and the ongoing risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
Why it matters
The industry is responding to a significant increase in Salmonella outbreaks and the exclusion of smaller farms from federal safety regulations. Improved biosecurity is considered essential to preventing further contamination and protecting the national egg supply.
Registered small egg farms grew 200% between 2015 and 2025, reaching a total of 3,344 farms. In the last month alone, 130 HPAI cases were detected in wild birds out of 3,188 samples collected.
The players
United Egg Producers
This is a cooperative representing the majority of egg farmers in the country that focuses on animal welfare and food safety.
American Egg Board
This organization manages research and promotion programs to increase the demand for eggs and egg products across the United States.
Oscar Garrison
He serves as a senior leader and expert on egg industry safety standards and operational challenges.
The details
Producers are adopting a train-the-trainer model focusing on perimeter buffer zones, mortality disposal, and wild bird prevention. These efforts target farms with fewer than 50,000 birds that face increased scrutiny due to their exemption from the FDA Egg Safety Rule.
Timeline
From 2015 to 2025, registered small egg farm counts increased 200%.
In April 2025, the HPAI Working Group submitted a proposed vaccination plan.
In January 2026, the HPAI Working Group submitted a pilot program.
On September 28, 2026, Oscar Garrison updated the Georgia Layer Conference on industry challenges.
Roadmap
The rise of smaller, non-regulated egg operations complicates long-standing efforts to unify industry safety protocols under the FDA Egg Safety Rule. This shift necessitates private industry cooperation to maintain standards that were previously managed through large-scale regulatory compliance.
Consumers should be aware that the food safety programs aim to reduce egg recalls and Salmonella risks for products found in local grocery stores. These efforts help ensure that the egg supply remains stable and safe for household use.
The takeaway
Small-scale egg producers are increasingly prioritizing rigorous biosecurity measures to counteract viral and bacterial threats that jeopardize food safety. Readers should continue to practice proper egg handling and cooking to mitigate health risks at home.
Further reading
Learn more about agricultural standards in the United States Organic Food section.
Live Poll
Should small-scale egg farms be subject to the same strict food safety regulations as large producers?
