The
Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program

The Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program (PEQAP)
is a voluntary industry program intended to minimize Salmonella enteritidis
(SE) contamination of chicken eggs. Although the program does not guarantee
shell eggs to be free of SE contamination, the program does assure consumers
of the commitment producers and processors are making to prevent SE
contamination. Basic preventive measures include placement of SE clean
chicks, intensive rodent control, cleaning and disinfecting between
flocks, and environmental monitoring of pullet and layer houses with
continuous testing of eggs from any SE positive houses. Eggs from SE
positive houses are diverted for pasteurization. Eggs must be kept refrigerated.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture provides third party monitoring
of the program as well as technical, administrative, and financial support.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health provides technical advice regarding
public health implications. PEQAP participants are assuring the public
that they are taking every reasonable precaution to assure the safety
of their eggs.
Sponsored by
PennAg Industries Poultry Council
(717) 651-5920
Email: pennag@pennag.com
Web Site: www.pennag.com
Supported by
The Pennsylvania State University
University of Pennsylvania
PA Department of Agriculture
PA Department of Health
PA Animal Health Commission
PEQAP
Certification Training
Certification training is offered annually for PA producers and processors to train and certify
program participants. Training includes a one and one-half hour training session,
a notebook with PowerPoint presentation handouts, and supplementary appendix materials
for further understanding and reference.