How do you help customers understand unwashed eggs?

[kalsea]

I sell my eggs unwashed and refrigerated. People are very curious and often mention misinformation (brown eggs are healthier). More often though they are new to unwashed eggs. While I know what works for my family and my household routines, I do not want to pretend there is ONE TRUE WAY TO EGG.

Is there a consumer friendly website or resource you all prefer to share with people so they can learn and make up their own minds? I include this little leaflet with every dozen to cover my butt a little... But I'd love to fully cover it with good information.

Thank you so much!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Is there a simple way to explain it? Especially with people who are set in their beliefs, maybe not.
I explain that only a few countries require washing commercial eggs. I've lived and visited several different contries. In all the others, grocery store eggs are on the shelf next to the bread, rather than in a cooler.

 

[kalsea]

Is there a simple way to explain it? Especially with people who are set in their beliefs, maybe not.
I explain that only a few countries require washing commercial eggs. I've lived and visited several different contries. In all the others, grocery store eggs are on the shelf next to the bread, rather than in a cooler.

Too true! I think what I'm running into is that people just don't know ANYTHING about eggs and I don't want to be the sole person to teach them.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Don't you think it depends on how much time you have to explain?
When someone has convinced themselves of something, it takes a lot to sway them.
Given enough time, you could explain why commercial eggs are washed and the history behind it.
Commercial eggs were rarely washed before 1970. Most people weren't alive then so refrigerated eggs at the grocery store is all they have ever known.
I, on the other hand, was already a grown man by that time.

 

[TOR]

I sell eggs just nieghbors, my explanation is a bit different. The egg bloom protects the egg once washed the pores are opened the egg bloom protective coating is removed from egg. I wash before use because washing before hand it is possible to push bacteria or dirt, poop into egg.Hence creating bacteria in the egg.
Eggs can have salmonella, always wash hands after handling eggs do not eat raw eggs. ( there is parasite factor also, but I dont go there)
Also I mention fresh eggs do not need to be refrigrated if they have not been refrigerated, once refrigerated always have to keep refrigerated whether washed or not.
I only deal with very few people and majority of them have had fresh eggs or raised on a farm. I feel saying anything is a waste of time, they will do what they do anyway.
I do go thru my little talk anyway, I dont want anyone sick.
That is a nice little card though to go with eggs.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Too true! I think what I'm running into is that people just don't know ANYTHING about eggs and I don't want to be the sole person to teach them.

That and SOME people don't know anything about ANYTHING!

 

[Perris]

Is there a consumer friendly website or resource you all prefer to share with people so they can learn and make up their own minds?

You could cite this, which is the regulations in the UK for the sale of eggs (class A, i.e. the best class, for direct purchase and consumption by consumers), and which are more or less the opposite of US regulations:

"15. Quality grading and storage of eggs
...
Class A eggs shall not be washed or cleaned, before or after grading (no exceptions apply in the UK).

Class A eggs shall not be treated for preservation or chilled in premises or plants where the temperature is artificially maintained at less than 5°C, except that chilled transport for less than 24 hours or keeping on retail premises/annexes for less than 72 hours is acceptable.

Eggs must be kept clean, dry and out of direct sunshine at all times."

https://assets.publishing.service.g.../eggs-marketing-legisation-guidance-emr01.pdf

The reason for not washing is, as you understand, so as not to remove the cuticle, which is the best defence against infection for the egg contents. The reason for not refrigerating is that movement from a chilled to a warmer atmosphere (e.g. shop or room temperature) may lead to condensation forming on the shell, and it then compromises the cuticle. (US regulations apparently don't recognize that as a potential issue.)

Not everything on your label is correct by the way. E.g. the cuticle does not stop oxygen passing through the shell (if it did, developing chicks would suffocate).

 

[ChickenCanoe]

A part of this video I stumbled upon today explains about washed eggs and refrigeration.

 

[LaFleche]

My customers would not know the difference as I only sell clean and very fresh eggs.

Any dirty egg will be fed to the dogs.

 

[C Siena]

We don't wash, wipe off dirt and store on a shelf, not in the refrigerator. They have been fine for 3-4 weeks, before we began to sell. Now, we do not have them more than a few days. If really dirty, we wash and eat them. The dog eats a couple a week, usually made from dehydrated eggs. All but one person keeps their eggs in the refrigerator.