National Pasteurized Eggs' Safest Choice ' Eggs Earn American Culinary Federation Seal Of Approval

The American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF), the nation's premier organization for professional chefs and cooks, has awarded National Pasteurized Eggs (NPE) Safest Choice eggs its prestigious Seal of Approval. The regular shell eggs and cage-free shell eggs were submitted for extensive testing and were approved by members of ACF's Seal of Approval Committee, effective July 6.

"We consider the Seal of Approval from ACF a milestone in the development of our company," said Greg West, president. "While the importance of a safe shell egg is understood by most in the foodservice community, assurance by ACF that Safest Choice eggs are superior in flavor and performance means there are no longer barriers to use. Chefs can get great results and be free of worries about salmonella."

Keith Davis, CEC, AAC, chair of the Seal of Approval committee, applied the organization's rigorous testing criteria to the eggs, evaluating for application, physical properties, performance, packaging standards, and accuracy of labels and marketing materials.

"We tested the eggs in a variety of cooking methods and baking preparations," said Davis. "We evaluated their performance when prepared in mayonnaise, cold dressings and numerous egg recipes. The products successfully passed our standards, and we are happy to award them our Seal of Approval."

Safest Choice starts with hens that are hormone and antibiotic free. The eggs are graded U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grade AA and pasteurized within 72 hours of lay. They are immersend while still in their shells in an all-natural water bath that uses no chemicals or radiation to destroy salmonella. This gentle method preserves the farm fresh taste of the egg. This innovative technology is recognized by the USDA to inactivate salmonella and the avian influenza virus. Afterwards they are coated with a food grade paraffin that prevents cross contamination and extends shelf life to 60 days. They are stamped with a P and delivered fresh weekly. The process exceeds U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards for pasteurization and is USDA approved. Eggs can be stored at room temperature for 24 hours, allowing tempering. Safest Choice eggs are kosher and halal.

The ACF Seal of Approval program offers foodservice manufacturers the opportunity to have products endorsed by the largest organization of professional chefs. Unlike other entities that offer tasting endorsements only, the ACF Seal requires extensive product testing and evaluation. After three years, ACF determines if the product needs to be retested.

About the American Culinary Federation
The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in North America. With more than 22,000 members spanning 230 chapters nationwide, ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and accreditation. In addition, ACF operates the most comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United States. ACF is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the United States in major international culinary competitions, and to the Chef & Child Foundation, founded in 1989 to promote proper nutrition in children and to combat childhood obesity. For more information, visit www.acfchefs.org.

About National Pasteurized Eggs
Based in suburban Chicago, National Pasteurized Eggs distributes its pasteurized in-shell eggs under the Davidson's Safest Choice brand to retailers in 50 states, and through distributors to leading restaurants, hospitals, colleges and universities, healthcare facilities and foodservice providers throughout the world. The firm is the winner of the 2008 Red Herring Global 100 Innovation Award and the 2008 Chicago Innovation Award. For more information, visit www.safeeggs.com or call 708-418-8500. Follow NPE on Facebook