Egg packer fined for mislabelling eggs

A DEFRA investigation has led to the conviction of an egg packer, who packaged "poor quality eggs" as Class A and extended the best before date on a batch of eggs.

Anthony Clarkson, of F Clarkson and Sons Ltd, Whittingham, Preston, pleaded guilty and was fined Â£2,100 (€3,100) for seven offences, plus Â£1,000 (€1,470) in court costs, on 28 February at Preston Magistrates Court.

Second time
Mr Clarkson's company, which has been prosecuted previously for offences against the Egg Marketing Standards Regulations, was caught a second time after the Egg Marketing Inspectorate carried out routine inspections between July - September 2006.

Richard Jones, deputy chief egg marketing inspector, said after the case: "Consumers should only receive accurately labelled and fresh eggs. The Inspectorate takes formal action like this when such significant breaches occur so that consumers really do receive what it says on the label".

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Editor WorldPoultry