Today's consumers must decipher a variety of dates on grocery products. If the cartons have the USDA grade shield, the date the eggs were packed must appear on the carton. The USDA requires that the date be no more than 30 days after the eggs were packed. I prefer the Julian date to determine freshness. It wasn’t stored at the correct temperature. The cost aside, because there is a fair cost difference per egg depending on the size of the carton you buy, let’s just talk about the freshness and safety aspect. Although not required, they may also carry an expiration date beyond which the eggs should not be sold, but are still safe to eat. They open and close the egg cartons, look at pictures on the carton of hens dancing in the sunshine, and mull over words, like “natural” or “organic,” in an effort to determine if the eggs they are holding were laid by happy hens. . That is the date that the eggs were washed, graded (in this case Grade A), and packed in the carton. What Egg-Xactly Does That Egg Label Mean? The USDA grade shield shows the eggs were graded for quality and checked for weight under the supervision of a USDA grader. The eggs may still come in just the two colors, but now there are many different “types” of those two different colors of eggs. This is the most popular question we get asked here at Eggland's Best, so we answered it in this quick 30-second video. The Julian date is the “pack date,” when the eggs were washed, graded and place in the carton. Once upon a time, when you went to the store to buy eggs you had two choices: white eggs or brown eggs. The date on cartons can mean different things. After further reading, caged hens are no longer allowed in this country, but that doesn’t explain why these eggs are graded as a 3. The USDA Grade on Egg Cartons: What Does It Mean? Some states also require eggs be stamped with an “expiration” date, which is scary-sounding but effectively a sell-by date. None of … Egg Carton Labels Can Be Confusing! Apparently, the date stamped on egg cartons includes a number which is called the Julian Date. The Julian date is the “pack date,” when the eggs were washed, graded and place in the carton. These dates are not required by the federal government but may be required by state laws where the eggs are marketed. Because, as it turns out, those eggs with a sell-by date don’t suddenly turn rotten at midnight. Checking the “sell by,” expiration or “pack date” on an egg carton can tell you if an egg is still good. Choose the most economical and useful egg size for your lifestyle. January 1 is 001, and December 31 is 365 (except in a leap year). Food can be bad before the date. However, eggs can be safely eaten 2-3 weeks beyond the expiration date or sell by date. A “Sell By” or “Expiration Date” ensures eggs aren’t kept on shelves past a certain date. Grading of eggs is just one of the many steps that egg farmers take to ensure the safety and quality of eggs. This numbering system is sometimes used on egg cartons to denote the day the eggs are packed. The date on the carton is a sell by date so the grocer know when to pull older eggs. cannot exceed 30 days after the eggs were packed in the carton. Egg carton numbers: Sell by date; This number is not required so some cartons might have it and some might not. The FDA gives farmers 30 days to place an egg in a carton and then another 30 days to sell that egg after it’s been placed in a carton. What does the date on the egg carton mean? The plant code usually starts with a P and is followed by a four digit number. Egg Carton Labels Can Be Confusing! January 1 is 001, and December 31 is 365 (except in a leap year). Every day, people stop and stare at egg displays at the supermarket. Sweet Potato Turkey Hash and Poached Eggs, Boy of Steal’s Green Chile Egg Salad Sliders. All Rights Reserved. Eggs may only come in one shape, but Sprouts has numerous options to choose from. Not so anymore! It is not an expiration date, but rather the date by which NOW Foods recommends consumption. I don't know why there isn't a bit clearer system, but eggs don't have an expiration date. Many egg cartons also have a sell-by date or expiration date. Don’t use them after that). An Egg Story: Does the Date Mean "Too Late"? You can also freeze eggs for longer storage. The plant code usually starts with a P and is followed by a four digit number. All egg cartons have a pack date. "So, that does not always mean that the eggs have gone bad. Egg carton numbers: Sell by date; This number is not required so some cartons might have it and some might not. What’s the difference between brown and white eggs? It means that the eggs were obtained from hens that are able to forage and roam on a pasture area. There are so many different labels on eggs these days, it’s difficult to know which ones are the best. This date usually appears as a 3 digit code using the Julian date calendar. Although not required, they may also carry an expiration date beyond which the eggs should not be sold, but are still safe to eat. Not so anymore! When it appears on a egg carton it denotes the day the eggs are packed. But as long … I use eggs 3-5 weeks from that date, because eggs degrade over time. A “sell by” date means that the eggs are good for a few days past the stamped date. All rights reserved. What Does Your Egg Carton Label Mean? This numbering system is sometimes used on egg cartons to denote the day the eggs are packed. If a product is past the Best By date, does this mean that I … Pack Date. Date – like in the case of any other product, egg labels contain a best-before date. , which was March 27, 2015 weeks beyond the expiration date or sell by date plant code your. 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