Classification and packaging of eggs - Application …

1 1 Small-scale farmer marketing series Classification andpackaging of eggs5 English2 ..ClassificationEggs are classed into three grades as wellas standard egg sizes and requirements Grade 1/Grade A Thick white. Round, well centered yolk. Small air cell (maximum depth of 6 mm). Air cell shall not move more than 6 mm in any directionwhen the egg is tilted from vertical position. Clean, uncracked, and strong shell with normal shape. Egg white with the huagh value of at least 55 units. Egg shall be free from meat spots. Grade 2/Grade B Very few are sold at retail stores. Yolk is slightly flattened; white is thinner. Air cell shall have maximum depth of 9 mm.

2 Air cell shall not move more than 12 mm in any direction whenthe egg is tilted from the vertical position. Shell is uncracked and may have a rough texture; and/or beslightly soiled and stained. Egg white with the haugh value of 35 units. Grade 3/Grade C Not sold in retail stores. Yolk is flattened and may be oblong in shape. The white is thinand watery. Shell may be cracked and/or egg sizes and weightsThe standards for egg sizes and weights vary from country to country. In SouthAfrica the standard is as follows:SizeMinimum Mass per egg (grams)JumboMore than 66 gExtra largeMore than 59 gLargeMore than 51 gMediumMore than 43gSmallMore than 33 gMixed sizesNot specifiedEgg whiteAir cellEgg yolk.

3 3 packaging Egg packagesRequirements for containers and outer containers: Made from suitable material. Should not give off any taste or odour to the eggs . Strong so that it will not bulge out or buckle in during normal handling ortransporting. Should not absorb excessive moisture during cooling. Free from any matter other than the eggs packed therein. Unbroken. When reused: clean before eggs are packed, remove all marks and labels orcover with new labels. Should close are many different types of egg packages, which vary bothin design and material used. Simple basketBaskets are suitable for short distance transport and egg collecting. Filler trayThe standard egg tray usually carries 36 eggs .

4 The advantages ofusing plastic egg fillers are: Reuseable and durable. Washable. Covered with plastic coverings. Can be used as packaging for final sale to the buyer. Plastic transparent fillers allow for the inspection of handling or touching the eggs . Polystyrene packagesPackages can carry two to twelve eggs . Advantages of using polystyrene: Superior cushioning. Protects against odours and moisture. Resistant to fungus and mould of packaging Protects the produce from damage. Convenient unit for distribution. Serves as an advertisement for the product. Labels/brands the product. Provides protection against odours and ..For further information contact:Department: AgricultureDirectorate: MarketingTel: 012 319 8455 (Billy Morokolo)Tel: 012 319 8071 (Lulama Ntshephe)Email: Poultry AssociationPO Box 1202, Honeydew : 011 795 2051/2, Fax: 011 795 3180,Email: (Egg graders)Tel: 011 769 1318 Ovipro (Pty) LtdTel: 013 932 4051 Fairacres Products (Pty) LtdTel: 011 659 2600 Email: Animal improvement InstituteAdvisory CentreTel: 012 672 9239, Fax: 011 795 3180,Email: Poultry InstitutePO Box 101188, Scottsville : 033 346 0049, Fax: 033 386 3600,Email: Reference LaboratoryUniversity of Pretoria, Private Bag X04,Onderstepoort : 012 529 8224, Fax: 012 529 8306,Email.

5 Animal Improvement InstituteAdvisory Services, Private Bag X2, : 012 672 9239, Fax: 012 672 9159 Email: by the Department: Agriculture and obtainable from the Resource Centre, Directorate AgriculturalInformation Services, Private Bag 144, Pretoria 0001 This publication is also available on the web: standardsDirectorate: Food Safety and QualityAssuranceTel: 012 319 7000, Fax 012 319 6764,Email: of egg packagingmaterialPlastic packaging material is sourced fromthe wholesalers, while Van Leermanufactures trays (specialised forpackaging eggs ). Van Leer s distributors inthe different provinces are:A&X BeleggingsBronkhornspruit, : 013 933 BemarkersSprings, : 011 813 1200 (ext.)

6 298).L. Komm WholesalersVereeniging, : 016 422 2097 Driesan PlasticGroblersdal, : 013 262 3353 Brown s Cash and CarryFicksburg, Free : 015 933 2301 FamPakParrow, Western : 021 933 3524 Western Province CooperativeWolsely, Western : 023 614 2240 Highfield Manufacture ccKroonstad, Free : 033 387 6868 Websites.