New Survey Shows Americans are Still Concerned About Food Safety, Yet Still Not Smart About What They L...(lly many cases going unreported or undia...),Health

"Eggs as a food are not the issue, but salmonella certainly is," said Holtzman. "Cooking eggs until yolks are hard and properly handling them are vital safety steps in fighting salmonella. However the simplest way to enjoy safe eggs any style, and keep your kitchen free from salmonella cross contamination, is to use only eggs that are labeled as pasteurized. "

Key findings in the survey included:

-- 70 percent of Americans believe the best way to eliminate the risk of

salmonella is to thoroughly cook eggs. However, 57 percent of

Americans eat eggs that are prepared in styles that are not thoroughly

cooked.

-- 33 percent of respondents say that cleanliness or avoiding cross

contamination are the most effective ways to eliminate the risk of

salmonella poisoning.

-- Almost a quarter of Americans, 25 percent, believe that having quality

food habits is the best way to avoid food-borne illness.

-- Undercooked eggs are consumed by Americans as follows:

-- Over easy 35 percent

-- Sunny side up 25.2 percent

-- Eggs over medium 12.3 percent

-- Eggs Benedict 11.8 percent

-- Poached eggs 10.8 percent

-- Soft boiled 10.8 percent

The TNS survey was conducted in June 2007 among 2,500 respondents nationally representative of the U. S population. For more information on the survey, visit http://www.safeeggs.com.