The 'expiration date' is being removed from eggs.

The President of the Egg Producers Central Union (YUM-BIR), Ibrahim Afyon, stated that with the regulation that will be implemented according to the draft regulation prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry regarding eggs, the waste will be prevented by specifying "recommended consumption date" instead of "expiration date" for the shelf life of eggs.

FOOD SAFETY WILL INCREASE

According to the information received by AA correspondent, the Turkish Food Codex Egg Regulation will be updated in order to ensure food safety, prevent consumer deception, protect their interests, and prevent unfair competition. With the draft amendment, regarding the shelf life of eggs, a regulation was made in line with the relevant regulation of the European Union (EU), which states that "the delivery period of class A eggs to the consumer is 28 days from the date of laying".

The amendment in the EU regulation, which states that "class A eggs should be classified, marked, and packaged within 10 days after laying, and class A eggs that are not marked within 10 days after laying are considered as class B (used in the food industry) eggs," was also added to the draft regulation. Instead of the term "expiration date" used for the shelf life of eggs to prevent waste, the expression "recommended consumption date" will be used, as in the EU.

"IF STORED UNDER SUITABLE CONDITIONS..."

In his evaluation regarding the issue, YUM-BIR President Afyon pointed out that the usage life of eggs will be long if they are stored under suitable conditions and said, "We throw away eggs that we buy from the shelves of supermarkets on the 15th or 20th day and keep in our refrigerators for 35-40 days, saying 'they are spoiled, they cannot be used.' This is a national waste. If these wastes are prevented, eggs that are 35-40 days old can be consumed if stored under suitable conditions."

Afyon stated that they recommend that the delivery period of eggs to consumers should be 28 days from the date of laying and stated that the regulation in the draft is a correct decision in this regard.

Afyon emphasized the need to raise awareness among citizens regarding this issue and said, "Eggs with intact shells, no bacterial growth, not exposed to excessive heat, and not in a dusty environment have a much longer shelf life. There are countries that consume eggs within 90 days after they are obtained. But we have taken 28 days as the basis in accordance with EU criteria."

Afyon also pointed out that inspections are carried out in supermarkets regarding this issue and stated that there is a criterion for collecting eggs from the shelves after 28 days.

Afyon emphasized that these inspections in supermarkets will continue as before and said, "There is a provision in the draft that states 'it is delivered to the final consumer within 28 days,' which means that if it does not reach the consumer after 28 days, it will be collected from the shelves. The 28-day shelf life is not changing."