Egg Guidance, Regulation, and Other Information

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture share regulatory authority over egg safety in the U.S. Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the FDA protects consumers against impure, unsafe, and fraudulently labeled food, including shell eggs. In general, the FDA regulates the production, transportation, and storage of shell eggs. This webpage includes consumer information and advice, guidance documents, regulation, and science and research content for shell eggs.

The following are frequently requested links for industry and consumers.

Guidance | Compliance | Final Rule | FSMA

Regulatory Program Standards | Retail Food Protection

Exports/Imports | Science & Research

Recalls/Alerts | For Consumers

Guidance Documents

Guidance documents contain nonbinding recommendations

Compliance Program

FDA's Food Compliance Programs provide instructions to FDA personnel for conducting activities to evaluate industry compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other laws administered by FDA. Compliance Programs are made available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act. Compliance Programs do not create or confer any rights for or on any person and do not operate to bind FDA or the public. An alternative approach may be used as long as the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.

Compliance Program 7303.836 - Inspection of Egg Farms for Monitoring Compliance with Egg Safety Rule

Egg Safety Final Rule

The Egg Safety Final Rule is expected to prevent each year approximately 79,000 cases of foodborne illness and 30 deaths caused by consumption of eggs contaminated with the bacterium Salmonella Enteritidis.

Shell Egg Producer Registration

Egg Regulatory Program Standards

The Egg Regulatory Program Standards (ERPS) provide a framework for state programs with responsibility for oversight of eggs and egg products. The program standards are designed to integrate the regulatory activities of partner agencies into an efficient and effective process for improving egg safety in the U.S.

New Under FSMA

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is transforming the nation’s food safety system by shifting the focus from responding to foodborne illness to preventing it. Congress enacted FSMA in response to dramatic changes in the global food system and in our understanding of foodborne illness and its consequences, including the realization that preventable foodborne illness is both a significant public health problem and a threat to the economic well-being of the food system.

Retail Food Protection

Retail Refrigeration and Labeling Requirements for Shell Eggs

Assuring the Safety of Eggs and Menu and Deli Items Made from Raw, Shell Eggs

FDA Food Code

Exporting/Importing

Egg and Egg Products Export Lists - U.S. exports of eggs and egg products to the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) are subject to establishment listing requirements as a precondition for market access.

Importing Food Products into the United States - Under provisions of the U.S. law contained in the U.S. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, importers of food products intended for introduction into U.S. interstate commerce are responsible for ensuring that the products are safe, sanitary, and labeled according to U.S. requirements.

Science & Research

Fate of Listeria Monocytogenes on Citric Acid-treated Hard-Cooked Eggs - Commercially-prepared hard-cooked eggs are available for food service and to the public in retail grocers. Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes after the cooking and peeling steps is of concern since this pathogen can proliferate at refrigeration temperatures. This study evaluated the efficacy of citric acid treatment of hard-cooked peeled eggs to reduce the population levels of L. monocytogenes.

Recalls/Alerts

Recalls of Foods - Food producers recall their products from the marketplace when the products are mislabeled or when the food may present a health hazard to consumers because the food is contaminated or has caused a foodborne illness outbreak.

Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness - Stay informed about foodborne illness outbreaks linked to FDA-regulated food products.

Safety Alerts & Advisories - Information from FDA about areas of concern and potential health risks, including consumer advisories.

For Consumers

What You Need to Know About Egg Safety

Dairy and Eggs - Food Safety for Moms to Be

Enjoying Homemade Ice Cream without the Risk of Salmonella Infection

Questions and Answers Regarding the Safety of Eggs During Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks - The FDA recognizes that consumers and farmers may have questions over recent reports of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in the United States. We have created a short questions and answers page to help address this issue and spotlight what the FDA and the USDA are doing to ensure the safety of commercially produced eggs.

Report a Problem - Learn how consumers, health care providers, and others can report an “adverse event,” which is any health-related event associated with the use of food products, or any other complaints, concerns, or problems related to food products.

Safe Food Handling

To keep your family safer from food poisoning, follow these four simple steps: clean, separate, cook, and chill.