Abstract
CONSIDERABLE speculation has arisen during the past few years about the difference between battery and free range eggs, or, more precisely, eggs from intensively and extensively kept flocks of fowl. Little evidence has been presented as to the exact nature of this difference, with the result that the majority of the populace, not appreciating the economic factors involved, are prejudiced against eggs laid by intensively kept birds, and imagine that there is a real difference in either flavour or nutritional value. Sinclair1,2 suggested that eggs from intensively kept birds are more atherogenic than eggs from free range birds. He based this suggestion on his theory3 that atherosclerosis results from a relative deficiency of essential fatty acids, linoleic and arachidonic acids, and his unverified assumption that eggs from free range birds contain greater amounts of essential fatty acids.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Sinclair, H. M., Lancet, i, 225 (1961).
Sinclair, H. M., Lancet, i, 339 (1961).
Sinclair, H. M., Lancet, i, 381 (1956).
Crawford, N., Clin. Chim. Acta, 3, 357 (1958).
Bowyer, D. E., Leat, W. M. F., Howard, A. N., and Gresham, G. A., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 70, 433 (1963).
Smith, E. B., Biochem. J., 84, 49P (1962).
Noble, R. C., and Moore, J. H., in Physiology of the Domestic Fowl, B.E.M.B. Symposium No. 1, 87 (Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh and London, 1966).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
JONES, D. Point of Distinction between Battery and Free Range Eggs. Nature 220, 921–922 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/220921a0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/220921a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.