Commercial Eggs

The Commercial Egg program for egg producers and processors is one program area with web access. We currently have a description of the PA Egg Quality Assurance Program and certification training dates and registration information. Contact Paul H. Patterson for more information about these programs.

• The Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program (PEQAP)

• PEQAP Certification Training

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.

---