In late January 2020, CAST, an independent source of scientific information on food, agriculture and the environment issued a review on free-range production of eggs and poultry meat

The comprehensive report considers the effect of this management system on production, welfare, flock health, food safety and related issues.

The major factors relating to safety of eggs comprised:-

• The possibility of microbial infection including Salmonella

• High proportion of dirty eggs compared to barn or cage systems

• Possibility of pesticide and herbicide residues depending on the level of soil contamination

• The possibility of lead contamination especially in hens housed in urban areas or adjacent to major roads

• Exposure to endoparasites resulting in possible inclusion of ascarids within eggs.