How to sell your eggs in Wisconsin

Written By Kristin Mell

There are many reasons why people raise their own birds for eggs. This blog will go over the process of selling eggs in Wisconsin.

Small-scale Producers (150 birds or fewer)

Act 245 reduces the licensing burden for small scale egg producers. The advantage is small scale producers can package their eggs without a food processing plant license and sell them at their farm. This covers sales direct from farm to consumer only, such as sales off the farm or at a farmers market. It is important to note, that if you sell to a grocery store or restaurant then you must have a food processing license. To obtain a license application contact your states Department Of Agricultural, Trade and Consumer Protection. (DATCP).

In addition to this law producers must still meet some basic food safety requirements:

  • Eggs must be sold directly to the consumer

  • Carton must have the producers name, address, date the eggs were packed into carton. sell by date within 30 days and a statement that indicates that the eggs are ungraded and uninspected.

  • Eggs must be kept at a temperature no higher then 41*F at all times

Large-scale Producers (more than 150 birds)

Owning more than 150 birds is considered a large- scale producer. Large-scale producers must obtain a food processing plant license. This means you must process your eggs in a licensed commercial kitchen. You can find the permit/license you may need here.

Some differences are that you need to wash and grade your eggs:

Egg Collection & Washing

  • Most large-scale producers have roll out egg pens.

  • To clean and sanitize the eggs water needs to be heated to more than 90*F with a special cleaning solution.

  • The contents of the egg are examined without cracking the shell

Egg Quality Grade ( AA, A, B) the interior and exterior quality of an egg is determined by a process called candling.

  • Distinctness of the yolk shadow outline: the shadow of the yolk outline cast on the shell when the egg is twirled is one of the best indicators of interior quality

Some other facts to know:

Air Cell

The size of the air cell is another factor used to determine the grade of the egg. When an egg is first laid it has a very small egg cell or none at all.

  • Higher grade eggs have a very shallow air cell.

  • AA grade may not exceed 1/8 inch depth.

  • A grade may have air cells 3/16 inch in depth

  • B grade has no limit on air cell size

Egg Weights

A dozen Jumbo eggs should weigh approximately 30oz or more

  • A dozen X-Large eggs should weigh approximately 27oz or more

  • A dozen Large eggs should weigh approximately 24oz or more

  • A dozen Medium eggs should weigh approximately 21oz or more

Egg Labeling

  • Product identity

  • Packer Identification number

  • Net quantity

  • Nutritional label

  • Grade

  • “Keep Refrigerated”

  • Date eggs were packed

  • Expiration date or sell by date

  • Safe handling statement

Kristin Mell
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