Trading standards leaflets

A guide for producers of eggs selling directly to consumers

Eggs sold directly to the consumer from a farm, door to door deliveries, or from a market/boot sale must be labelled with a best before date, appropriate storage information, and in certain circumstances, the production site's individual code. These requirements do not apply to graded or cracked eggs. There are specific provisions for the labelling of free range eggs and barn eggs.

This applies only if the eggs are ungraded (without weight or class descriptions), and you do not knowingly sell a cracked egg. If eggs are sold in any other manner, for example to other retail premises, you must be registered with the Egg Marketing Inspectorate.

In the guide
Labelling requirements
Method of farming
Free range eggs
Barn eggs
Storage
Disposal of eggs
Egg Marketing Inspectorate
Penalties

Labelling requirements
A best before date must be given ('best before' followed by a date) and this must be a maximum of twenty-eight days after the date of lay. When applying the 'best before' date, consideration should be given to any thin shelled eggs and the storage of eggs in high ambient temperatures. The best before date does not have to be stamped on to the egg, but it must be at least supplied with it.

Appropriate storage information (such as 'keep refrigerated after purchase').

For local public markets or car boot sales, eggs must be individually stamped with a code that states the production site and farming method. An exemption to the requirement to stamp applies for producers with a flock of less than 50 birds.

For local market and car boot sale stalls, a notice must be displayed explaining the meaning of the stamped code. This notice should explain the meaning of the letters and numbers stamped on the egg. For example, 3UK12345 would relate to the information required as follows:

• 3 - the method of farming:
  - 0 (organic)
  - 1 (free range)
  - 2 (barn)
  - 3 (caged hens)
• UK - the country of origin
• 12345 - the production site code, provided to the packer on registration with the Egg Marketing Inspectorate

Eggs sold in one of the three ways described above cannot be marked or advertised with a weight grade or class.

Further labelling requirements will also apply - please see our guidance leaflet 'Retail sale and labelling of eggs'.

Method of farming
The method of farming, relating to the stamped code, can be indicated using the wording below, where applicable. These descriptions also apply if you wish to voluntarily describe your eggs selling from your premises or door to door.

• free range eggs
• barn eggs
• eggs from caged birds

If the eggs have not been produced in accordance with the methods set out for free range eggs or barn eggs, they are automatically classed as eggs from caged hens.

Since 1 January 2012 laying hens may not be kept in cages that only meet the requirements of the 'conventional cage' system. More information about this is available in Defra's document Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock: Laying Hens.  

Free range eggs
Eggs described as 'free range' must be produced in poultry establishments in which the hens have:

• continuous daytime access to open air runs
• access to ground mainly covered with vegetation
• at least four square metres of ground available per bird

In addition, there are requirements in relation to the hens' housing and fittings.

Barn eggs
Barn eggs must be produced in a poultry establishment where the hens:

• are provided with at least 15cm perch space per hen
• have floor space providing at least one square metre for every nine chickens
• comply with requirements relating to the hens' housing and fittings

If you need further advice about the other descriptions of methods of farming, or the hens' housing requirements, please contact the Egg Marketing Inspectorate.

Storage
In order to keep the eggs you sell in good condition, you must store them:

• at a cool, constant temperature
• dry and out of direct sunlight

You should also consider:

• handling them as little as possible, as small cracks will cause the eggs to deteriorate and lose weight
• taking care when storing trays on top of each other, as this may cause the eggs to crack

Disposal of eggs
For information on disposal of eggs not for human consumption please see the Controls on animal by-products page on the Defra website.

Egg Marketing Inspectorate
This Department is covered by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) , an executive agency of Defra and operates through regional Egg Marketing Inspectorates. Further information relating to the above legislation, and advice on registering as a packer etc, can currently be found on the Defra website.

Penalties
Failure to comply with these labelling requirements is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty on conviction in a Magistrate's Court is a fine of £5,000.

Please note
This leaflet is not an authoritative interpretation of the law and is intended only for guidance. Any legislation referred to, while still current, may have been amended from the form in which it was originally enacted. Please contact us for further information.

Relevant legislation
Food Labelling Regulations 1996
Eggs and Chicks (England) Regulations 2009

Last reviewed/updated: December 2012

© 2013 itsa Ltd on behalf of the Trading Standards Institute.