Officials involved in an undercover investigation on Tuesday, arrested 10 members of a PA (Palestinian Authority) egg smuggling ring. While this may not sound too serious, one should realize that too often, eggs smuggled into “Israel proper” from PA autonomous areas are a health hazard as they are rarely properly refrigerated.

The eggs that were marked with forged stamps to appear legitimate inspected approved eggs. As such, consumers would not necessarily be aware of the hazard. The eggs were being sold in stores nationwide.

Health and agricultural officials prohibit the sale of eggs from outside Israel due to the sensitivity of the product. Health officials report that eggs must not be held at an ambient temperature exceeding 20C (68 F).

Consumers should look for the familiar stamps on the shell which indicate the expiration date for using an egg as well as the name of the sorting company. One may confirm the legitimacy of the latter by phoning the Egg Council at 03-608-3271. Of course the latter would not necessarily inform one of a forged stamp on an egg.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)