Egg producers wishing to sell eggs from their own flocks of less than 3,000 birds are no longer required to obtain a Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) Regulatory Services license to do so. A recent opinion by the State Attorney General clarified the authority of TDA to license such operations under the Tennessee Egg Law.
While a license and inspection is no longer required for those selling eggs from their own flocks, it is still just as important for producers to properly handle eggs for quality assurance and food safety purposes. Those having more than 3,000 birds in their flocks are regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture.
For quality assurance, it is important to properly handle the eggs from the layer house to the consumer. A fact sheet written by Phillip J. Clauer, the Poultry Extension Specialist for Virginia Cooperative Extension discusses the proper handling of eggs, although the section on regulations does not apply in Tennessee. The fact sheet titled Proper Handling of Eggs: From Hen to Consumption is available online at http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/2902/2902-1091/2902-1091.pdf.
Tags: egg permit, farmers markets, layer hens, local food, proper handling of eggs