 |
| This is #3 battery cage eggs sold at the USA market here in Germany, it is unlawful in Germany to sell these eggs, but USA approves it in their commissaries! |
Easter is upon us, and you can't get around the subject of new birth, eggs and spring! As a Christian, we call this Resurrection Day because it's the day Jesus rose again!
Did you know in Europe they are serious about their labeling their eggs unlike USA?
Here is the low-down:
Egg marking is a form of egg labeling that includes an egg code stamped on the egg itself. In the EU there is a producer code regulated by law since 2004. It allows consumers to distinguish free range eggs and organic farming eggs from the industrial caged hen production. (USA doesn't have labeling requirements)
The European Union has defined an egg code that consists of:
- a number indicating the method of production
- a two letter code for the country of origin
- a registration number indicating the hen laying establishment
The egg stamp is required in the EU on all class A eggs unless these are sold directly on the farm.
The first number of the egg code defines four levels of production quality in decreasing order - the requirements on organic farming eggs extend on the requirements of free range eggs.
- 0 = organic egg production
- 1 = free-range eggs
- 2 = deep litter indoor housing
- 3 = battery cage farming
In the European Union these levels have strict minimum requirements. In Germany, they don't sell anything below a 2! But in countries like Denmark, UK and even USA's commissaries, they are allowed to carry #3 eggs!
