Thinking of cashing in on the backyard chicken craze by selling eggs? Make sure you’re in the know. When it comes to selling ungraded eggs in Arkansas to a retailer, there are certain rules and regulations that need to be followed in order for the producer to remain compliant. Primarily, the egg producer must own less than two hundred (200) hens in order to be eligible to sell ungraded eggs. In addition, the following requirements must also be met:
- Eggs must be washed and cleaned prior to packaging;
- Eggs must be prepackaged and identified as ungraded, with the name and address of the producer clearly visible;
- Used cartons are not allowed unless all brand markings and other identification is obliterated;
- The retailer must keep an invoice for two (2) years indicating who the eggs were purchased from, the date, and amount of eggs bought; and
- Eggs must be refrigerated* and maintained at a temperature of forty-five degrees in order to maintain freshness.
By adhering to these requirements, egg producers can ensure that they remain compliant when selling ungraded eggs to a retailer.
Find out more about poultry and egg selling programs at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture website.
Happy Egg Selling! 🙂