Poll: Americans Increasingly Concerned About Eggs
As the nation’s worst avian flu outbreak in history continues to impact the food supply, a new poll shows many Americans are losing confidence in the safety of eggs, with growing concerns about both health risks and industrial farming practices.
According to a national survey commissioned by the Center for Responsible Food Business, only 29% of respondents said they have full confidence in the safety of the egg supply. Nearly half of those surveyed—47%—reported they are now worried about the health and safety of themselves or their families when buying eggs, and an equal percentage said they plan to buy fewer eggs in the coming months.
Concerns about safety appear to outweigh economic worries. Fifty-one percent of those polled said they are more concerned about health and safety issues related to eggs, compared to 25% who cited the economic impact of rising egg prices due to the outbreak.
The survey results come amid a lack of federal testing of eggs for avian flu. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently testing milk for the virus, it is not yet doing so for eggs. The poll found that 65% of respondents believe the USDA should be testing eggs, while 62% said egg producers should also conduct their own testing.
“Egg producers and regulators need to step up,” said Taylor Warren, president of the Center for Responsible Food Business. “The fact that a majority of Americans want mandatory testing for avian flu shows that the public is ahead of policymakers on this issue. Ignoring these concerns will only further erode trust in the food system.”
The survey also revealed broader concerns about the structure of the egg industry. Fifty-four percent of Americans support limiting the size of large-scale industrial egg farms and investing in smaller, family-run operations. Additionally, half of those polled expressed concern that industrial egg farming could contribute to future pandemics.
Public health guidance currently varies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises cooking eggs to 165 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent illness. However, the United Egg Producers organization continues to recommend cooking eggs at 144 degrees and has not implemented industry-wide testing.
Other key findings from the survey include:
69% of respondents expressed concern about avian flu in general.
Only 6% said they plan to eat more eggs in the coming months.
67% of respondents want to see more efforts to ensure egg safety, with support spanning party lines: 80% of Democrats, 63% of Independents, and 58% of Republicans.
The poll, conducted on February 25 by Positive Sum Strategies, included responses from 1,403 adults and was weighted by education, age, gender, race, and 2024 election results. The margin of error is ±3%.
The Center for Responsible Food Business is a nonprofit organization that advocates for a more transparent and accountable food system through research and collaboration with industry leaders and scientists.