Marketing eggs

Egg Marketing Regulations

The Eggs and Chicks Regulations cover most aspects of egg grading, packing, marking, labelling, transport and onward marketing. The regulations apply to in shell eggs from laying hens marketed as Class A sold for human consumption.

Types of egg

Class A eggs are eggs-in-shell that have certain quality characteristics and are intended for human consumption through retail and catering outlets.

Class B eggs do not meet the quality characteristics and cannot be marketed for human consumption unless they have been heat treated (pasteurised). These are commonly used in catering produce, as egg liquid or powder etc.

To find out the standard required for an egg to be marketed as Class A, see Defra's The Egg Quality Guide (PDF 1.3MB).

Marking eggs

All Class (Grade) A eggs sold at retail level and public markets within the European Union (EU) must be stamped with a code identifying the:

• method of production – e.g. organic(0), free range(1), barn(2) or cage(3)
• country of origin
• specific hen laying establishment number.

So for example a free range egg might be stamped: 1UK9999.

Stamping Class A eggs tells the consumer where the eggs have come from and their method of production. This stamping is predominantly carried out on farm but the producer number may be applied at the first packing centre.

Further information:

• Guidance on Legislation covering the Marketing of hen eggs
  Explanatory Leaflet EMR 1 (PDF 921KB)
• For more information on stamping eggs (PDF 10.7KB) visit the Defra website.

Selling direct to consumers

If you have fewer than 50 birds you are not required to be registered with Animal Health nor with the Great Britain Poultry Register (although you are encouraged to do so voluntarily). You do not need to mark your eggs with a producer code if they are sold directly to the consumer for their own use in the following circumstances:

• by the producer on their own farm
• by the producer through door-to-door selling to the final consumer
• by the producer in a local public market.

In these circumstances, no use of the quality or weight grading terms may be made.

If you have less than 50 hens and sell their direct to consumers at a local public market, the eggs must show:

• your name and address
• provide consumer advice to keep eggs chilled after purchase
• a best before date (maximum 28 days from lay)

Some markets may however have their own rules which require the stamping of a producer code on hen eggs.

If you have 50 or more hens you will need to be registered (see above) and stamp eggs with your producer code. A best before date and advice to keep eggs chilled after purchase must also be displayed at point of sale or on any pack labelling.