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Maryland Department of Agriculture

Shell egg cartons & cases

Although a specific lettering type is not required, all information must be legible. Specified type sizes are the minimum allowed and all lettering within a word or statement must meet the required lettering height. 

  1. The following must be on all cartons:   

    1. A safe handling statement with the words “safe handling instructions” in bold capital letters and the statement set off in a box by hairlines in lettering at least 1/16 of an inch in height.

      For example: "SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS: To prevent illness from bacteria: keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly."

      If the safe handling statement does not appear on the principal display panel or the front information panel, a separate refrigeration statement must be printed on either the principal display panel or the front information panel.  

    2. The packer or distributor's name and address must be on either the principal display panel or the information panel with a minimum type size of 1/16 of an inch.  
    3. The packer's registration number must be on either the principal display panel or the information panel with a minimum type size of 1/16 of an inch.  
    4. The lot designation of the eggs must be on either the principal display panel or the information panel with a minimum type size of 1/16 of an inch.  
    5. The identity of the product as eggs must be on the principal display panel with a minimum type size of 1/4 of an inch. 
    6. The net quantity of eggs in weight or numerical count must be on the principal display panel with a minimum type size as specified by the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, in general, 1/8 of an inch for 6 egg or 8 egg cartons, 3/16 of an inch for 12 egg or 18 egg cartons and 1/4 of an inch for 30 egg or more sleeves.  If net quantity is expressed by both weight and count, only one must meet the minimum type size requirements.  If net quantity is expressed by weight, both metric and ounces or pounds must be shown.  
    7. The word grade and the grade classification (AA or A) and size of the eggs must be on the principal display panel with a minimum type size of 1/4 of an inch.  
  2. The same information that is required to be on cartons must be on cases of loose eggs. Cases containing cartons of eggs must have a refrigeration statement, the identity of the product as eggs and the grade and size. The information may be on the top of the case or any of the sides.  Type size requirements are the same as for cartons.
  3. The same information that is required to be on cartons and cases of shell eggs must be on cartons and cases of in shell pasteurized eggs except the grade can only be stated as produced from and a refrigeration statement may be used in lieu of the safe handling instructions.  
  4. No information that may be misleading to the consumer may be on cartons. Documentation to support nutritional and/or production practices claims will be requested from producers. 

Loose pack eggs sold at retail

  1. Option 1: Loose Pack eggs may be sold at retail if the following information is posted at the point of sale: 
    1. Grade 
    2. Size 
    3. Plant number 
    4. Lot number 
    5. Net quantity (2 ½ dozen is sufficient; net weight is not required in MD)
    6. Name and address of packer/distributor (Name, city, state)
    7. Safe Handling Instructions
    8. Follow the guidance issued by FDA “FDA Provides Temporary Flexibility Regarding Nutrition Labeling of Certain Packaged Food in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic” 
  2. Option 2: Loose Pack eggs may be sold at retail if the retailer wants to shrink wrap or otherwise cover the flat of eggs if a label containing the information listed above is applied to the wrapped flat. Recommendation is for the packer of the eggs to provide the labels in the case for the store to apply. 

For either option, the retailer is required to maintain a record of the plant number and lot number for a minimum of 90 days.  

Recommendation: Place a label in the case for the retailer to apply to the invoice or equivalent record or include this information on the invoice or equivalent record. 

Note: The Maryland Department of Health has been notified that this method of sale is acceptable and in compliance with the Maryland Egg Law. Please send any questions to [email protected].