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4. MARKING OF EGGS AND EGG PACKAGES
4.1 General Provisions on Marking (mandatory)
Individual "Grade A" eggs must be marked with the appropriate producer(s) code (issued by this department) which, in turn, should be explained on the pack or separate notice, for example:
4.2 Indication of Date of Minimum Durability (mandatory)
All large packs and small packs must bear an indication of minimum durability (the "Best-Before" date).
The maximum best-before date is 28 days from the date of lay but eggs must be delivered to the consumer within 21 days of lay. The "Best-Before" date may be indicated by 2 sets of figures representing the day and the month e.g.BB 2303 or the day in figures with the month represented in by up to four letters e.g.BB 23MAR. Zeroes must be used to pad out single digits.
In the case of loose egg sales an indication of Best Before Date must be applied in such a manner as to be clearly visible and unequivocal to the consumer.
4.3 Consumer Advice (mandatory)
An indication on packs in clearly visible and legible type advising the consumer to " keep eggs chilled after purchase".
4.4 Indication of Poultry Rearing Methods (mandatory)
All large and small packs, or a sign in the case of loose eggs, must bear one of the following descriptors in such a manner as to be clearly and unambiguously visible to the consumer: " Eggs from Caged hens", " Free Range Eggs", or " Barn Eggs". Explanatory Leaflet EMR14 explains the criteria for each of these descriptions. Producers who do not pack their own eggs should notify their Area Egg Marketing Officer before supplying a packing centre.
4.5 Indication of the Packing Date (optional)
An indication of packing date may be indicated optionally. This date must follow the same format as the Best Before date.
4.6 Recommended sell-by date (optional)
In addition to Best Before date (and packing date), the recommended sell-by date may be marked on the eggs or packs during packing. The recommended sell-by date shall not exceed the maximum time limit of 21 days after lay. The date must follow the same format as the Best Before date.
4.7 Indication of How Laying Hens are Fed (optional)
Additional optional indications of how laying hens are fed may be applied to eggs and packs. Reference may be made to cereals as a feed ingredient only where they account for at least 60% in weight of the feed formula given of which no more than 15% of cereal by-product may be part;
Without reference to the minimum of 60% referred to above, where reference is made to a specific cereal, it shall account for at least 30% of the feed formula used. If specific reference is made to more than one cereal, each shall account for at least 5% of the feed formula.
4.8 Indication of 'Extra' eggs (optional)
Until the ninth day after laying, eggs may be marketed as 'Extra' or 'Extra fresh' as an additional quality indication. The laying date and the time limit of nine days after lay shall be shown on the pack In such a way as to be easily visible and clearly legible. Eggs marketed in this way must also be graded, marked, packed and labelled ( GMPL) within 4 days of lay, e.g. Date of Lay 01/01/08 ( GMPL by 05/01/08) - Extra Fresh Until 10/01/08.
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