Crack open the facts about eggs

Every year, on the second Friday in October, eggs are honoured with a special celebration called World Egg Day.

But just how big can one little egg be that it gets its own international day of observation? The short answer – JUMBO!

This gutsy little protein power house is eaten by more people around the globe than any other animal food source. It is a perfectly complete protein containing all the essential amino acids for building and repairing body tissue, and provides 50% of the daily recommended allowance of protein and 100% of iron for developing children.

The Egg Story in a Nutshell

Eggs are one of the most affordable and accessible proteins in the world, providing nutrients for human growth and cognitive development, and stronger societies.

“But, if current declining production trends continue as a result of continued disease challenges, changing production practices and the removing of innovation from some parts of the world, our farmers won’t be able to meet the increasing global demand for more eggs as well as other animal proteins such as meat and milk. Nearly half the globe – 4.5 billion people – won’t meet their nutritional needs by 2040 on the current production trajectory,” explains Andre Westerveld, Regional Director of Elanco South Africa.

Egg Production is Under Threat

“On the current path, we will need 12.6 billion birds worldwide – nearly double today’s 6.4 billion – plus the massive resources to support them to meet demand in 2050. We’re meeting current demand by adding more hens which is simply not sustainable. Instead, we need to bring back innovation and help hens produce more,” adds Andre.

By using innovation, and not adding hens, we would save annually:

• 113 million tons of feed (26%) – approximately enough to fill 25 000 grain silos (with a capacity of 4500 tons each).
• 260 000 square kilometers of land (26%) – more than one quarter of the size of South Africa.
• 280 billion litres of water (31%) – the equivalent of 4 444 Vaal Dams.

The focus around World Egg Day provides an opportune time to draw attention to the rights of consumers to expect safe food produced responsibly, and an industry that has a responsibility when it comes to defining responsible and sustainable production.

Crack open the facts about eggs:

• 1 egg is equal to half the protein a child needs in their diet each day.
• 1 egg/day can allow a child to increase weight and height 1.5 times faster.
• 1 egg has the protein to help prevent muscle loss in older adults.
• 1 egg has the nutrients to improve brain function in children and adults.
• 1 egg is one of the most affordable sources of high-quality protein.
• 1 egg/day can improve development in impoverished children.
• China produces about 160 billion eggs per year, making it the largest egg producer in the world.