Ontario's Egg Sales/Grading Program

| Regulations | Egg Grading Stations Inspection | Compliance and Enforcement |

Regulations

The eggs regulations (Ontario Regulations 724 and 726) under the Livestock and Livestock Products Act set standards for sales, grading, monitoring, packaging and disposition of fresh and processed eggs for human consumption. Ontario has adopted the grade names established under the Canada Agricultural Products Act.

The regulations require that all eggs retailed beyond the farm gate be graded. Cracked eggs must be sold exclusively to federally licensed processing stations for pasteurization.

The Food Premises Regulation (Ontario Regulation 562) under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, administered by local health authorities, also require that all eggs at retail be graded. Health inspectors monitor farmers’ markets and other retail outlets.

Egg Grading Stations Inspection

There are more than 100 registered egg grading stations in Ontario. Egg grading services are delivered on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspectors appointed under Ontario’s Livestock and Livestock Products Act.

A list of Federally registered egg stations which are in the business of grading eggs can be found at the following Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada web page:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/misb/aisd/poultry/esta-entr_egr_e.htm

Compliance and Enforcement

A communications protocol between OMAFRA, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and municipal health units provides for coordinated compliance monitoring and enforcement activities.