Sir, Although not specifically looking at food safety in your last issue’s feature about the value of assurance schemes, it is very surprising to see you reference the eggs and salmonella scares of 1988 but fail to mention the British Lion Quality mark, which is the most successful assurance scheme in the UK, and a shining example for others to follow.
It is the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Lion scheme this year and due to the food safety standards it represents, it is stronger than ever, egg sales are buoyant and consumers have fallen back in love with eggs.
A recent Kantar in-home survey (1,647 principal shoppers, July 2018), which is the most robust tracking survey, shows recognition of the British Lion Quality mark is 76%, compared to 52% for Red Tractor and 34% for RSPCA Assured.
The research also showed that 83% of consumers strongly associate the Lion mark with British and a guarantee of quality. The recognition of British Lion eggs as safer than other eggs is also increasing - up from 63% to 70%. This increase follows the new Food Standards Agency advice that runny eggs are now safe to eat for everyone, as long as they meet the stringent standards of the British Lion mark.
If, as your ‘Behind the label’ feature suggests, some assurance schemes have a fundamental problem that needs fixing, then the Lion can almost certainly help provide the answer.
Andrew Joret, chairman, British Egg Industry Council
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