Help about fresh eggs and the codes please.

Curry_Queen

From eggs I've seen stamped before I'd say they were battery hen eggs that you bought


Just checked my free range ones and they are actually stamped "FREE RANGE" followed by UK and the number code, which I assume is batch number, then the BB date under that.

Curry_Queen

It's well worth checking these codes on shop or supermarket bought eggs to make sure they are what they claim to be. Now whether your grocer is knowingly selling them as free range when they're not, or has been duped him/herself, is another matter but I'd take it up with them if it were me.

Some people may be under the assumption the number indicates size and may not be aware of the new codings


I'd also be pretty confident that locally supplied eggs that aren't stamped in any way are likely to be free range, or at least barn kept hens, as I'm not aware of any battery farm selling locally to the public, and most likely go to commercial packers to be stamped and boxed up.

Loadsabob

I was pleased to see the codes listed in the current Radio Times! There's a chef giving a recipe for Spanish Omlette. So hopefully more and more people will become aware of

Chris25

Well I went back to the shop yesterday and I think I may have got it wrong - they didn't say they were free-range, I assumed it.

They were sold loose, either bring your own box or re-use one from a stack on the shelf (one of them from Sainsbury free-range) and they looked just like you would buy at a farmer's market.

I will be telling everyone I know though in case they are under the same assumption.

Squidgy

We have a man who comes to the office selling his own farms eggs, delicious.

Think I will have a look to see what codes are on them next time, although I would possibly still get them as they are excellent and only 55p for half a dozen!

xlt_hunter

Sorry for bringing up a old topic, but a little more info for the MSE boards

The coding on eggs was put in place by the gov (DEFRA) and all must be printed by law now to trace any issues back to the correct farm.

0UKxxxxx = Organic
1UKxxxxx = Free Range
2UKxxxxx = Barn
3UKxxxxx = Cage

xxxxx = farm code

Same applies for downgraded types - ie Organic into Free Range (only certain packs is allowed to do this - JS 15 Baisc IIRC + Big & Fresh packs "yellow") This is done with a different message on the egg -

Code 0 - Organic
Code 1 - Free Range
Code 2 - Barn
Cage 3 (There is "no" code 3)

Another trick is to look at the trays that the eggs are on - all too common to see at boot sales/markets free range egg on grey tray (so they say)

Pink - Orgainc
Blue - Free Range
Green - Barn
Grey - Cage

leonie_2

Oooh I started this thread ages ago, but I dont have to worry about codes anymore......... i've got three lovely hens that lay wonderful eggs for me!

Alfietinker

"The coding on eggs was put in place by the gov (DEFRA) and all must be printed by law now to trace any issues back to the correct farm."

Does this include houses that sell eggs? I buy eggs from a house down a lane which says they are free range and all the egg boxes include the address and phone numbers. But no stamps....

xlt_hunter

Alfietinker wrote:

Does this include houses that sell eggs? I buy eggs from a house down a lane which says they are free range and all the egg boxes include the address and phone numbers. But no stamps....

Only flocks over a certain size (ie 7000 birds) IIRC :rolleyes:

murphz1

Tracey_Smith wrote:

Hi there Leonie,

Here are the codes from the other thread about 'Value Eggs'.

0 = organic

1 = free range

2 = barn

3 = caged

UK = origin

5 numbers = reference number/location of batch

Go give them a rocket my friend, that's outrageous!

Incidentally, when you get a mo, visit Big Barn, put your post code in and you will find STACKS of great local producers in your area, for good eggs, organic box deliveries, local meat etc.

All the best to you,

I found your thread and did a google search getting the 'british eggs website which completely contradicts what you say, any ideas
http://www.britegg.co.uk/ukeggs05/ukeggs2.html