USDA "Regulations Governing the Grading of Shell Eggs and US Standards, Grades,
and Weight Classes for Shell Eggs." These regulations have been developed as
required by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The voluntary USDA shell egg
grading program operates under these regulations. The voluntary program provides for
interested parties a national grading service based on official US standards, grades,
and weight classes, and minimum sanitary and operating requirements. The costs
involved in furnishing this grading program are paid by the user of the service.
(1) The grading program and the regulations establish a basis for quality
and price relationships and enable more orderly marketing. Consumers can purchase
officially graded products with the confidence of receiving quality in accordance with the
official identification.
(2) Certain plants are listed in the USDA document "List of Plants Operating
Under USDA Poultry and Egg Grading and Egg Products Inspection Programs." These
officially approved plants receive voluntary grading and inspection services on poultry,
shell eggs, rabbits, and egg products under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as
amended. They also receive mandatory egg products inspection under the Egg
Products Inspection.
b. Destination Inspection. On each shipment received, destination inspection
is performed by Veterinary Service personnel. The inspector compares information
from the inspection data packet with the information on the USDA Poultry Products
Grading Certificate.
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BASIS OF GRADES
The grades of shell eggs, the weight classes, and the requirements for each
grade and weight, are cited in the USDA "Regulations Governing the Grading of Shell
Eggs and US Standards, Grades, and Weight Classes for Shell Eggs." The
specification for shell eggs establishes the packaging, packing, and marking
requirements and cites the portion of the USDA publication that applies to military
procurement. The Defense Personnel Support Center (DPSC) issues clauses that
implement both the specification and the regulations. Shell eggs are separated by
quality and weight and are classified as follows:
a. Grades. Grades for individual egg quality are AA Quality, A Quality, B
Quality, B* Quality, Dirty, Check, Leaker, and Loss.
b. Weight Classes. Weight classes (sizes) of eggs are jumbo, extra large,
large, medium, and small.
MD0713
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