USDA egg-carton dates show packing dates (cryptically)
Q:
What do the dates on egg cartons mean and why are they there- AKA, Albuquer que, NM
A: You probably mean the dates on egg cartons with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grade shield.
Figure 1. About one-third of the nation's table eggs are packed under USDA's voluntary grading procedures.
Right: [AMS/USAD] The USDA grade shield
When the USDA grade shield is on the package, packers must label the carton showing where and when they packed the eggs.
Figure 2. They may also put another date on the carton (and many do) that tells the last date to sell or, perhaps, eat the eggs.
All dates help us egg buyers compare egg cartons and pick the freshest one.
1. Pack Date: Example: 218
This r equired Julian date gives the number of days since the first of the year to the time when packers washed, graded,
and placed the eggs in the carton. Typically, packers pack eggs within one to seven days of their being laid. It's a
three-digit number, for example: "003" means the 3rd of January. When comparing cartons, pick the highest
number for the freshest eggs.
2. Code date (optional). Example: EXP AUG 29
The packer can omit this date or include one of two date types: the expiration date or the still-good-for-use date.
By the way, packers also must include a plant number in the label. Our example (P1380) is the R. W. Sauder, Inc. plant located in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.
If the packers choose not to participate in the USDA's voluntary grading service, then they must follow the egg laws in the state where the packers pack
and/or sell the eggs. New Mexico requires packers to print the name of the packer or distributor on the carton.
(Answered by April Holladay, science correspondent, September 5, 2001)
Further Surfing:
[AMS/USAD] Egg carton labeling
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