Extra egg scheme hatched

30 million eggs are eaten in the UK every day

The tradition of buying half-a-dozen eggs could be on its way out as a new round box that fits seven is unveiled.

The plastic box is the idea of the British Egg Information Council (BEIC) which wants to encourage consumers to eat an egg a day by stamping a day of the week on each one.

The prototype has been created to mark British Egg Week, which runs from 7 to 13 October, which is aims to dispel the many myths surrounding egg eating.

Most of the population can happily eat an egg a day with no adverse effects

Andrew Parker, British Egg Information Council

At present it is just a model but Waitrose supermarket has indicated it would be interested in carrying the box to promote healthy eating.

Although 30 million eggs are eaten in the UK every day, there is still a number of old wives tales which stop people eating more.

One of the biggest myths the BEIC wants to shatter is that people should not eat more than three eggs a week, a belief held by more than 50% of the population.

It was thought eggs contributed to high levels of cholesterol and that eating more than three a week could have an adverse impact on coronary heart disease.

Each egg would have a day of the week printed on it

But research has found that saturated fat - which eggs are relatively low in - is the major cause of high cholesterol.

Another major myth surrounding the egg is that it can cause constipation if eaten in large quantities, something that has filtered down to one in three health professionals according to a survey conducted by the egg council.

Fridge dilemma

The BEIC believes the myth is actually derived from the culinary term "to bind", describing how eggs can be used in recipes to bind ingredients together.

"Eggs are fabulously nutritious, packed with protein and essential vitamins and they are relatively low in calories with just 76 calories per medium egg," said BEIC chairman Andrew Parker.

"Most of the population can happily eat an egg a day with no adverse effects."

One concern about the new boxes containing seven eggs is that there will not be enough room in fridge egg compartments.

But Kevin Coles of the BEIC advises people to refrigerate eggs in their box because the shells are porous and will allow smells and tastes from other foods seep into it.

A NOP poll revealed scrambled eggs are favourite, with fried eggs in second place. Omelette, egg and soldiers and poached egg were the next most popular.