Selling Ungraded/Unsized Eggs in California

[ChellesChicks]

I've been doing a lot of research about selling eggs for food in California from my backyard flock of about 20 hens.

The one question I can't seem to find the answer to is if I am required to grade and size eggs. Does anyone know the answer to this? I know I need an egg handlers permit and if I want to sell at farmers markets I will need some additional paperwork, but I just can't seem to find any details about small farm eggs and if some rules differ from large production farms.

Do eggs need to be washed with a certain product or washed at all? I'm in Los Angeles county in A-2 zoning if that helps. I'd really appreciate your help! Thanks.

 

[aart]

You need to contact your State Ag Dept....or your local extension office, they can steer you to the correct authority for food sale regs.
Beware of anecdotal advice about regs on the net.

 

[ChellesChicks]

You need to contact your State Ag Dept....or your local extension office, they can steer you to the correct authority for food sale regs.
Beware of anecdotal advice about regs on the net.

thank you!

 

[brewfarm]

Any flock under 3000 hens is regulated by your state's Department of Agriculture.

https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/

According to this page
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/mpes/pdfs/Shell_Egg_Handler_Information.pdf

"FAC 27651 It is unlawful to sell to any retailer, consumer, or institutional consumer, any eggs which are ungraded as to quality and size"

Eggs definitely need to be cleaned, if sold under an egg handler's license. I'm not sure about California, but in Washington you're not required to use a cleaner, but if you do it has to be food grade- made for cleaning eggs.