On Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reinstated the Netherlands’ ability to export pasteurized egg products to the United States. This action came just days after IDFA sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, urging USDA to expedite the reinstatement process to help dairy companies affected by the growing shortage of eggs.

The highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, more commonly known as bird flu, continues to spread at poultry farms across the Midwest. The disease has now affected approximately 45 million birds. As of this week, the shortage is estimated at 30 percent to 35 percent of the processed egg supply.

Many dairy companies are affected, because ice cream and custard production traditionally peaks in the spring and summer and eggnog season will follow soon after. Many of these dairy products require minimum amounts of egg yolk solids due to the federal standards of identity.

“We’re gratified that USDA has approved imports of pasteurized egg products from the Netherlands under a reinstated food safety equivalency determination by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service,” said Connie Tipton, IDFA president and CEO. “While this is one step to relieve the shortage, IDFA is working in conjunction with other trade associations, government officials and other stakeholders to seek other ways to increase the processed egg supply.”

Read the list of facilities in the Netherlands that have been approved by USDA to export pasteurized egg products to the United States. The contact information for the facilities is available here. 

For more information, contact Emily Lyons, director of regulatory affairs and counsel, at elyons@idfa.org.