The Egg Safety and Quality Management (ESQM) Program within MPES is responsible for the regulatory authority for shell eggs and egg products produced, shipped, or sold in California. The mission of the ESQM is to ensure that eggs sold in California are of known quality, origin, grade, and size. Pursuant to Food and Agricultural Code Section 27521, ESQM ensures eggs have been properly handled, labeled, transported, refrigerated; and are wholesome and safe to eat. Anyone engaged in the production, sale, or handling of shell eggs or egg products in California must register with ESQM. ESQM personnel inspect shell eggs and egg products at production, packing, distribution, and retail facilities (CCR § 1352a). ESQM also oversees the inspection activities of contracted county personnel, conducts shell egg surveillance under contract with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), conducts Egg Safety Rule inspections under contract with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), performs Compliance & Risk Based Inspections at production and wholesale facilities, performs Shell Egg Food Safety (SEFS) audits at layer facilities, and conducts outreach activities aimed at educating small-flock egg producers and others about egg quality and food safety.
Anyone involved in producing, candling, grading, packing, or otherwise preparing eggs, or anyone selling or marketing eggs must register as an egg handler. This includes eggs from all species of fowl, whether in the shell or in liquid, frozen, dried, or any other form, when intended as food for human consumption. Each location where eggs are handled must be registered. This includes all egg handlers within California, and all egg handlers outside of California that do business within California. There are no exemptions to the registration requirement.
The program is funded by assessments collected from registered egg handlers. The current assessment fee is 0.10 (ten cents) per 30-dozen case of eggs sold.
Yes. Anyone who sells eggs by any means in California must register and pay the assessment fee.
Eggs that do not pass inspection are held off-sale by the State or County Enforcement Officer, and they are not released for sale until they are brought into compliance by the responsible party and reinspected and released by an authorized state or county official. Eggs that cannot be brought into compliance are destroyed or sold to breaking plants under certain conditions. Breaking plants receive shell eggs for processing into liquid egg product.
Eggs are inspected at production plants, wholesale warehouses, retail facilities and farmer’s markets.
The grade of a shell egg is determined by the size of the internal air-cell. As an egg ages, the liquid contents evaporate through its pores. The larger the air-cell is, the lower the grade of the egg. The outside appearance also factors into the grade of an egg. Eggs with moderate staining (but not adhering dirt) can be sold as grade "B." All other grades require a clean, unblemished shell appearance. Dirty eggs cannot be sold to consumers. The size of an egg is determined by its weight, in grams. A small egg must weight 40.16 grams or more, a jumbo egg must weigh 68.51 grams or more.
In order to be compliant with the State of California, you only need the registration. However, your city may require a business license. Contact the city and county in which you will be selling and ask what they require.
No, retail stores do not need to register, as long as they do not handle eggs in any capacity other than as a retailer. However, there are standards that retailers must meet, such as for refrigeration and signage.
Yes, you are considered an egg handler and therefore must register.
Yes, both situations are considered egg handling. It is for consumer safety that we require the registration of all egg handlers.
Yes, handlers of eggs of all species of fowl must register as egg handlers.
Size and grade standards are not currently in place for eggs from other species of fowl, like ducks or quail. Such eggs do not have the same labeling requirements as chicken eggs. Containers of eggs from other species of fowl offered for sale must be marked with "I.R.Q." standards.
| I | Identity | Species (for example, duck eggs) |
|---|---|---|
| R | Responsibility | Who produced the eggs (farm name, address, and zip code) |
| Q | Quantity | Number of eggs in the container |
You can face fines of up to $1,000.00 for the first offense. You may also be cited for other code violations and charged additional fines.
Please call the Organic Program at 916-900-5030.
For questions about Certified Farmer's Markets, please contact the Direct Marketing Program at 916-900-5030. You should also contact the agricultural commissioner for the county in which you will be selling.
In either case, you can send an email to CDFA.ESQM_Inquiries@cdfa.ca.gov. You may also call 916-900-5062.
There are many resources available on our website. Please review the links, such as the Quick Reference Guide. ESQM holds Small Producer Workshops throughout the state, which are also listed on this webpage. You may also visit the UC Davis Cooperative Extension website.
Please print the Egg Handlers Registration Renewal form, fill out sections 1 and 6, and mail it to CDFA, Egg Safety and Quality Management, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Egg Safety and Quality Management Program
1220 N Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: (916) 900-5062
Fax: (916) 900-5334
