You'll usually find it on one of the ends, near the sell-by date or expiration date. For information about egg substitutes contact the manufacturer or the FDA (888-723-3366). It's listed as a Julian date… However, some state laws may either require or prohibit using a "sell-by" date. Sell By / Best By / Use By: Optional, unless required by State. Of the 76.2 billion eggs consumed in 2009, 30 percent were in the form of egg products (eggs removed from their shells). Many eggs reach stores only a few days after the hen lays them. Answer: The Use By or Sell By dates stamped on the end of an egg carton denotes the period of optimum egg quality. Many eggs reach stores only a few days after the hen lays them. Inspection of Egg Farms for Monitoring Compliance with Egg Safety Rule - Phase I September 28, 2010 Quarterly Summary on FDA Inspections Under the Egg Safety Rule September 2010 - December 2010 To keep them safe, take eggs straight home and store … Always purchase eggs before the "Sell-By" or EXP (expiration) date on the carton. The Department of Health and Human Services’ FDA is responsible for the inspection of egg substitutes, imitation eggs, and similar products which are exempted from continuous inspection under the EPIA. The Department of Agriculture requires all graded eggs to have their pack date — the day that the eggs were washed, graded and placed in the egg container — stamped on the carton. FDA looks to swap out 'sell by' dates for 'best if used by' ... the product is not safe by a certain date. Therefore, some egg containers will list the expiration date, while others may not. Use of either a "Sell-By" or "Expiration" (EXP) date is not a Federal regulation, but may be required, as defined by the egg laws in the state where the eggs are marketed. Use of either a "Sell-By" or "Expiration" (EXP) date is not federally required, but may be state required, as defined by the egg laws in the state where the eggs are marketed. What do the Dates on Egg Cartons Mean? The shelf life of eggs is greatly reduced if the eggs are not kept constantly refrigerated as they may become unsafe to eat. Inspected, pasteurized egg products are used to make these commodities, and they may be re-pasteurized. This number is a three-digit code that represents the consecutive day of the year starting Some state egg laws do not allow the use of a "sell-by" date. [+] "sell-by" or "expiration" dates on eggs are not a federal regulation. Related Information The "Sell-By" date will usually expire during that length of time, but the eggs will be perfectly safe to use. 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