A nutritional Scientist has spoken out about growing fears over eggs as the UK is hit by an outbreak of bird flu with at least one human infected as well. The disease can cause huge fatalities among flocks and in the UK there are many zones where all commmercial birds such as chickens must be kept inside.
Professor Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and co-founder of the health App Zoe spoke out on Instagram about concerns and advised people to do ‘one thing’ before cooking and ensure they have the water at the right temperature – 165°F or or 73°C- to ‘completely destroy’ the virus. He was at pains to emphasise that they are perfectly safe to eat as long as you take the right precautions.
He said: “Are eggs safe to eat? Bird flu is spreading, and here’s what you need to know from an epidemiology point of view. Whilst these outbreaks are affecting poultry farms, the actual risk from eggs remains minimal. Infected hens don’t lay eggs, and commercial farms cull these affected flocks before the eggs ever reach stores.
“In the United States, eggs are also washed and sanitised, further reducing any risk of handling them. Even in the unlikely event that a contaminated egg made it to your kitchen, cooking it thoroughly. 165 °F kills the virus completely. pasteurised egg products are another safe option.”
Prof Spector added: “If you’re cooking them properly, at a minimum of 165°F or or 73°C, the virus is completely destroyed. Another question I get often is should I wash my eggs, even if they look dirty? The answer is no. Washing them further with water damages the protective layer of the egg and makes it more likely that any viruses or bacteria will enter the egg itself. So if they’re dirty, just clean them with a cloth before you cook them.”
And he explained that the health benefits of eggs are great, providing nearly every essential vitamin and mineral, including vitamin A, B12, and selenium, along with high-quality protein. He added: “The yolk is especially rich in choline, a crucial nutrient for brain health, and eggs are one of the few natural sources of vitamin D. The only thing they lack is fiber, so pairing them with fiber-rich foods like these pea pancakes.
“So should you stop eating eggs? No. If you’re using good food handling practises, cooking eggs properly, then the risk is extremely low. Bigger issue is that the impact of these outbreaks on food supply, prices and farming is quite large, but when it comes to food safety, the science is clear, eggs remain a safe and nutritious choice.”
A person in the West Midlands has contracted bird flu after “close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds,” the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed last month. Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at UKHSA, said: “The risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low despite this confirmed case.
“We have robust systems in place to detect cases early and take necessary action, as we know that spillover infections from birds to humans may occur. Currently there is no evidence of onwards transmission from this case.
“People are reminded not to touch sick or dead birds and it’s important that they follow Defra advice about reporting any suspected avian influenza cases.”