Sainsbury's announcement that it has cracked the problem of salmonella in eggs has hit a sour note with producers. "We spent a lot of money so that consumers buying eggs with the Lion Quality symbol can feel reassured that the hens have been vaccinated against salmonella" said a spokeswoman from the British Egg Information Service. Now Sainsbury's has stolen its thunder with its revolutionary new heat treatment which produces in-shell pasteurised eggs, to be sold at a premium next year. A spokesman for the retailers accepted that eggs with the Lion Quality symbol were safe but felt that pasteurised eggs provide pregnant women, children and the elderly with "added reassurance". Sainsbury described it as a "major leap forward", but the Food Commission fears it could encourage laxity in the egg industry as producers rely on retailers to tackle issues of food hygiene. {{NEWS }}

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