How to Choose Safe and Healthy Eggs

In daily life, consumers can start from the following aspects when choosing safer and healthier eggs

I. How to Choose Safe and Healthy Eggs

1. Egg origin and breeding environment

A clean breeding environment makes the chicken flock healthier. Priority should be given to local reliable big brands and egg producers, which have clear farms and breeding methods and will mark the eggs with labels such as organic, geographical indication certification, green food, and animal welfare certification.

Check the breeding method label on the packaging: free-range, free-range, cage, etc. Generally speaking, free-range eggs are relatively superior in terms of quality perception and diversity, but they are also more expensive.

2. Choose eggs with fresh dates

1. Check the date: Give priority to eggs with the most recent production date.
2. Check the integrity of the packaging: If the packaging is damaged, do not purchase.
3. Store as soon as possible after purchase to avoid long-term storage affecting freshness.

3. Choose eggs with intact packaging and safety certification

Choose eggs whose packaging boxes have clear production dates, shelf lives and manufacturer information printed on them.
Give priority to products marked with labels such as "antibiotic-free", "hormone-free", "organic certified", "free-range/cage-free", etc. Please pay attention to the authenticity of the certification.

4. Choose eggs that look clean

1. The surface is clean, free of cracks, feces or bloodstains.
2. The eggshell thickness is moderate (too thin may indicate calcium deficiency; too thick may be abnormal).
3. The color of eggshells has no direct and decisive relationship with their nutritional value
4. The color of eggshells (such as white, brown, blue, etc.) has little to do with nutritional value. It mainly depends on the freshness of the eggs and the way they are raised.

Ii. Is there any connection between egg quality and breeding methods?

1. Free-range raising

Advantages: The environment is relatively open, the color of the egg yolk is usually darker, and the flavor is sometimes more rich. Animal welfare is relatively good.
      Disadvantages: The price is usually high, it is easily affected by environmental hygiene, and attention should be paid to the epidemic prevention information at the place of origin.

2. Free-range eggs/wild grass eggs

Advantages: The breeding environment is relatively natural, and in some areas, it has a better flavor and nutritional preference.
     Disadvantages: It has significant stability and price fluctuations, and attention should be paid to the origin standards.

3. Cage farming/Intensive chicken poultry

Advantages: Lower price and stable supply.
     Disadvantages: High attention is paid to animal welfare and environmental hygiene. There may be systemic issues such as stress and health risks. Attention should be paid to the hygiene and epidemic prevention situation of producers.

Iii. How should eggs be stored?

1.Pay attention to temperature and humidity

The optimal refrigeration temperature is usually between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius. The upper layer of the refrigerator is slightly warmer while the lower layer is slightly cooler. It is best to store eggs in dedicated egg compartments or in their original packaging boxes.

2.Don't wash the eggs

Under normal circumstances, there is no need to wash the eggshells of eggs. There is a natural protective film on the surface of eggshells, which helps eggs stay fresh in the refrigerator. Cleaning may damage this protective film. It is best to wash it before consumption or after cooking.

3.Storage duration

Fresh eggs: They can generally be kept in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 weeks. If they have been washed or stored for a long time, pay attention to the smell, cracks and appearance changes.
Freezing

It is not recommended to freeze a whole egg directly (the yolk and white will separate during freezing and affect the texture). If long-term storage is required, you can beat the eggs, add a small amount of salt or sugar (depending on the purpose), and then freeze them for storage.

Egg inspection label

The testing standards and labeling of eggs vary from country to country, which reflects the differences in food safety regulations, the development level of the breeding industry, and consumer protection among countries. The following are the labeling of eggs in Nigeria, Kenya, the Philippines, and Indonesia:

IV.Channel selection: Reduce risks

• Supermarket Preferred: Large chain supermarkets (with a random inspection frequency three times higher than that of farmers' markets).
• Online shopping note: Check the cold chain evaluation (ice packs and foam boxes are standard), and refuse to accept broken packages.
• Community group buying: An animal quarantine certificate of conformity (with traceable numbers) is required.

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