Do You "Exp Date" Label The Carton, On Your For Sale Eggs?

[DeGriz]

Just wondering.

We have just sold our first extra eggs. Three dozen went in 2 minutes at $2.00/doz. at the wifes work.

One person asked "how long they will keep" or to the point "what is the expiration date".

I prefer to think of it as a "Best if used by..."

But I really had no good anwer. I refridgerate the eggs as soon as I collect them so How long would they be good for?

I have been marking the carton with the date I finished filling the carton.

What do some of you do?

 

[Choco Maran]

I'm pretty new to this site but from the reading I have done if not washed thay will last up to 8wks on the kitchen countermaybe longer and about 12 to 16 wks in the refir. So I would say tell them between 4 to 6 wks.

 

[DeGriz]

So does anybody date label the cartons they sell?

 

[Ms~Silkie~Girl]

i don't

 

[Kim_NC]

We date ours with a "Best By" date that is 30 days from the date of lay/collection. For example, today's eggs are dated Best By 01/21/10. We sell at farmers markets and sellout every week. If a customer asks, we tell them the truth. 1) we never have an egg a week old because we sellout weekly and 2) even if not consumed by the Best By Date on the cartons, they will still be fresher than grocery store eggs.

I also explain the Julien dates that are used on commercially packed (grocery store) eggs.

 

[gritsar]

I date them when I start a carton and when it's filled, but I don't date them for my customers. The same people buy a couple dozen a week, so I don't worry about them going bad. They're consumed long before that could happen.
Eggs that haven't had the bloom washed off of them can last a very long time.

 

[DeGriz]

Quote:
Thanks for the info. Kim_NC, judging by your website it sure seems you know what your talking about.

I did a search on the "Julien dates" but didn't find any mention.

Care to offer a quick lesson?

BTW, A nice cold grape NeHi sure would bring back some sweet childhood memories.

 

[Renee']

This is very interesting and has more than enough info for you to determine a comfortable date for your eggs.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Foo … iment.aspx

 

[Kim_NC]

Quote:
Thanks for the info. Kim_NC, judging by your website it sure seems you know what your talking about.

I did a search on the "Julien dates" but didn't find any mention.

Care to offer a quick lesson?

BTW, A nice cold grape NeHi sure would bring back some sweet childhood memories.

I have a misspelling in there - it's Julian date. In the Julian date system, each day of the year is given a number...with Jan 1st being 1 and Dec 31st being 365. Most states require that egg cartons show the Julian date that the eggs in the carton were packed or laid. For example, last week I saw eggs in a grocery store with a Julian date of 313 - that was Nov 9th. So those eggs were already 5+ weeks old. They also had a "use by" date of Jan 29th.

You can get a Julian calendar that covers several years here:
http://modland.nascom.nasa.gov/browse/calendar.html

Oh yeah, that Grape Nehi is quite popular. We ship cases and cases everyday - Peach and Orange too.

edit - 'cause I just can't type this evening!

 

[Chickie'sMoma]

good for me to know how long to date my eggs for. i've been dating the carton when i have collected them.

does anyone use KePeg on their eggs that get washed? http://www.eggcartons.com/product-exec/product_id/283/nm/KePeg_Egg_Preserver_KEP

or mineral oil http://www.eggcartons.com/product-exec/product_id/173/nm/Egg_Oil_Food_Grade_Mineral_Oil_EGGOIL