CROTON — Ohio Fresh Eggs LLC, one of the largest egg producers in the country with a large farm in Croton, maintains their strict safety standards and vigilant salmonella enteritidis intervention and risk-reduction program keep their eggs among the safest in the industry.

According to OFE spokeswoman Hana Bieliauskas, OFE’s locations in Croton, and Hardin County, now produce about 1.7 million eggs per day, or 620 million eggs per year.

Bieliauskas said the process for packing and storing eggs in Croton ensures their safety and freshness.

“Eggs are laid, cleaned, processed and packed for distribution within 24 hours,” she said. “Our eggs are required to be held at 45 degrees, and cooler inventory turns on average every two days.”

She said eggs are washed by machine and sanitized, and are never touched by human hands during the cleaning and packing process.

Bieliauskas said only one brand of eggs packed at the Croton facility is pasteurized in the shell, but that is not the standard practice.

OFE instituted its salmonella enteritidis intervention and risk reduction program in 2009.

“It includes vaccination of all pullets (hens less than 1 year old) before they begin laying eggs,” Bieliauskas said. “To date, we’ve invested nearly $1.5 million in our vaccination program for labor and vaccines.”

melissa.raines@mountvernonnews.com