Egg Safety Standards in China Need To Be Improved

National and industrial standards used for the certification and inspection of eggs and egg products in the People's Republic of China were reviewed. Although egg production is very high, specific egg and egg product standards are insufficient. Currently, 11 recommended standards and 6 compulsory standards are used to inspect eggs and egg products. Among the related 17 standards, only 6 recommended standards were promulgated for specific egg products even though there are more than 12 kinds of egg products. Egg and egg product standards were formulated and promulgated by six government agencies alone or in cooperation. Communications among agencies should be improved because some of the maximum levels and maximum residue limits for heavy metals, veterinary drugs, and microorganisms are inconsistent among standards, which may confuse producers and customers. The standard for the maximum residue limits of veterinary drugs in eggs and other foods of animal origin need to be revised and updated immediately, which will require the efforts and cooperation of policymakers, researchers, producers, and customers.