Why These Codes Matter

Understanding egg carton codes helps you make more informed shopping decisions.

Eggs typically remain fresh for about four to five weeks after packaging. However, regulations in some countries allow eggs to be sold for up to 30 days after packaging.

This means that even if the carton is within the sell-by date, the eggs may already be several weeks old.

Tips for choosing fresher eggs

• Look for cartons with the highest Julian date number. Higher numbers indicate more recently packaged eggs.

• Compare the Julian date with the sell-by date. The closer they are, the fresher the eggs.

• Buy eggs within a few days of packaging whenever possible.

What Happens as Eggs Age?

What Happens as Eggs Age?

Eggs don’t instantly spoil after their expiration date, but their quality gradually declines.

As eggs get older:

• They lose moisture and carbon dioxide

• The egg whites become thinner

• The yolks become more fragile

Older eggs may still be safe to eat, but fresh eggs taste better and perform better in cooking and baking—especially for dishes like omelets, poached eggs, or meringues.

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