USDA Wants to Revise Egg Grading

WASHINGTON - Sep 26/05 - SNS -- The USDA is looking at revising voluntary grading and shell egg inspection regulations, specifically the definition of washed ungraded eggs.

The voluntary grading program for shell eggs, authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended, is offered to shell egg processors that apply for and pay for the service rendered. The program provides for the official certification of egg quality, quantity, size, temperature, and packaging.

Egg inspections are conducted by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service under the Shell Egg Surveillance Program, as required by the Egg Products Inspection Act. The program ensures that eggs sold to consumers meet standards for consumer grade eggs and ensures that they are properly handled.

Washed ungraded eggs are currently described in the regulations as eggs that have been washed but not sized or segregated for quality. The revised definitions will describe washed ungraded eggs as eggs that have been washed and that are either sized or unsized, but not segregated for quality. This proposal will clarify and update the shell egg grading and inspection regulations and bring them in line with new technology and current production and processing practices.

Comments must be received on or before Nov. 25, 2005, at the following address: David Bowden, Jr., Chief, Standardization Branch, Poultry Programs, AMS, USDA, STOP 0259, room 3944-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250. Comments may also be faxed to (202) 690-0941. The proposal may be viewed electronically at www.ams.usda.gov/poultry/regulations/rulemaking.