Although there has been a trend in the egg industry to convert from wooden pallets to plastic transport systems on the basis of convenience, it is expected that this trend will intensify due to the need for a higher level of biosecurity.

It is impossible to decontaminate wooden pallets to achieve inactivation of both bacterial and viral pathogens.  Simply converting to plastic pallets will not necessarily provide a higher level of protection unless purpose-designed cleaning equipment is installed in packing plants and hatcheries and are used appropriately.

Progressive companies transporting eggs from contract farms to packing plants have converted to modular transport using the EggsCargo™ system, now manufactured in the U.S. Effective decontamination can be achieved if plastic pallets are cycled through purpose-designed Kuhl washers.

Plastic egg flats are now standard in the industry, but again decontamination by washing requires special equipment to reduce the probability of transmission of viruses causing HPAI and EDS and bacterial genera including Salmonella, Avibacterium and Pasteurella.

Information including specifications and operating characteristics can be accessed for Kuhl washers and for the EggsCargo™ system by clicking on to the respective Sponsor logos on the right side of the Welcome page.