Refrigeration and Labeling Requirements for Shell Eggs

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is revising its regulations governing the inspection of eggs and egg products to implement 1991 amendments to the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA). These amendments require that shell eggs packed for consumer use be stored and transported under refrigeration at an ambient temperature not to exceed 45 deg.F (7.2 deg.C). In addition, the amendments require that these packed shell eggs be labeled to state that refrigeration is required. Finally, the amendments require that any shell eggs imported into the United States packed for consumer use include a certification that the eggs, at all times after packing, have been stored and transported at an ambient temperature of no greater than 45 deg.F (7.2 deg.C).