Breaking and Remaking the British Egg: Intersections of Class, Health and Animal Welfare, 1956-1999

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In post-war Britain, eggs became a battleground for the promotion of and resistance to the intensification of animal agriculture. Through them, the roles of the state, producers and consumers in shaping animal food production became visible in new ways, illuminating the practical consequences of changes in the agro-industrial complex. While there is a growing body of literature that examines the socio-cultural significance of animal-derived food products, the topic of eggs, despite their ubiquity in British cuisine, remains under-researched. My research aims to address this omission by exploring the history of eggs in modern Britain. It takes a holistic approach which looks not just at egg production but also the wider societal context of changing consumptive practices and public attitudes. Utilising government, industry and everyday cultural sources, my research is structured around a central driving question: how did developments in egg production and consumption shape and reflect understandings of class, health and animal welfare. By focusing on the everyday yet complex egg, and innovatively engaging with a wide range of sources, my project will synthesise and enrich animal, food and health histories. Moreover, it will crack open the shell of modern British behaviours to offer fresh perspectives on class, consumption, and animal welfare.