Nutritionists see cracks in egg-a-day campaign

A television advertising campaign claiming an egg a day is okay has upset some nutritionists.

They are worried Eggs Incorporated's one-a-day slogan will encourage people to think eating lots of eggs is healthy, when it can increase cholesterol levels.

Auckland University nutrition professor Lynnette Ferguson said the advertisement was excessive and she would not advise anyone to eat an egg a day.

She believes two eggs a week in most people's diet is adequate, although up to four is okay. "Eggs are quite high in cholesterol and fat so really moderation is the key."

Eggs Incorporated, which promotes all hen eggs in New Zealand, stands by its message.

Chief executive Peter High said there were a number of misconceptions about eggs and recent Harvard research showed increasing cholesterol intake by 200mg for every 1000 calories in the diet - about an egg a day - did not noticeably increase heart disease risk.

He said though eggs were high in cholesterol, studies also showed eating an egg a day did not raise cholesterol in healthy individuals.

- Herald on Sunday