Hatching egg sanitization for prevention or reduction of human enteropathogens: A review

Hatching egg sanitization has been a somewhat controversial issue for more than 50 yr. Many in the hatching egg industry oppose wetting of fertile eggs. Nevertheless, research has been published on the problem of lowering bacterial contamination of hatching eggs without adversely affecting hatchability. As on-farm and hatchery Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point programs become a reality, more and more companies will become interested in how to best prevent human enteropathogen colonization in chicks. It is possible to effectively lower bacterial contamination on the eggs and in the hatching cabinet and thus reduce the level of human enteropathogens being placed in grow houses with the chicks. Information gleaned from both early and recent egg-sanitizing efforts can be useful in designing the best overall egg and hatchery sanitization program.