WTO  Draft  
 
 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE , LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT   
 
Please Note: All changes introduced are highlighted in blue  
 
No.R.            dd/mm/yyyy  
 
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT STANDARDS ACT, 1990  
(ACT No. 119 OF 1990)  
 
DRAFT REGULATIONS REGARDING THE GRADING,  PACKING AND MARKING  
OF EGGS INTENDED  FOR SALE IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA  
 
The Minister of Agriculture , Land Reform and Rural Development  has, under section 15 of the Agricultural 
Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990) – 
 
(a) made the regulatio ns in the Schedule;  
 
(b) determined that the said regulations shall come into operation 12 months after date of 
publication thereof ; and 
 
(c) read together with section 3(2) of the said Act, repealed the regulations published by 
Government Notices No . R.725 of 16  September 2011 and R.440 of 15 April 2016 with 
effect from the date of commencement.  
 
 
                                                                       SCHEDULE  
 
                                                                    Contents                                                         Regulation  
 
Definitions  1 
Restrictions on the sale o f eggs  2 
PART I: SIZING AND GRADING OF EGGS    
Sizing of eggs  3 
Grades of eggs  4 
Standards for grades  5 
PART II: CONTAINERS AND OUTER CONTAINERS   
Require ments for containers and outer containers  6 
Packing requirements  7 
PART III: MARKING REQUIREMENTS   
Marking of containers and outer containers  8 
Additional particulars on containers  9 
Indication of the size and grade  designation  10 
Indication of the packer  11 
Indication when  eggs are presented for sale in loose quantities  12 
Restricted particulars on containers and outer containers  13 
PART IV: SAMPLING AND EXAMINATION   
Sampling  of outer containers and eggs sold in loose quantities  14 
Methods of e xamination  15 
Determination of Haugh value  16 
PART V: VALIDITY PERIOD FOR PRODUCTION METHOD REQUIREMENTS  17 
PART VI: OFFENCES  AND PENALTIES   
Offences and penalties       18 
ANNEXURE  
Table 1:  Letter sizes of indications  
Table 2:   Sizes for grades of  eggs  
Table 3:   Standards for grades of eggs  
Table 4:   Extent to which certain defects may occur in eggs  
Table 5:   Number of eggs as per percentage maximum permissible deviation  
 
  
 
 2 
Definitions  
 
1. In these regulations, any word or expression to which a  meaning has been assigned in the Act, shall 
have that meaning and unless th e context otherwise indicates -  
 
"air cell " means the air filled space occurring between the inner and outer shell membranes of an egg and 
which is normally located at the broad e nd of the egg;  
 
"assignee " means a person, undertaking, body, institution, association or board designated under section 
2(3) of the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990);  
 
"barn eggs " means eggs which are produced  by poultry as se t out in regulation 8(3); 
  
"best before " or "best quality before date " means the date which signifies the end of period under any 
stated storage conditions during which the unopened product will remain fully marketable and will 
retain any specific qualiti es for which implied or express claims have been made, however, beyond 
the date the food may still be acceptable for consumption ; 
  
"blood ring " means a line or ring that is visible at a certain stage of development in a fertilised egg when 
such egg is bro ken open or candled;  
 
"blood spot " means a concentration of blood or oxidised blood;  
 
"broad end " means the end of the egg that is rounder and is not pointed, and in which the air  cell is normally 
located;  
 
"bubbly air cell " means an air cell with small ai r bubbles floating in the immediate vicinity of such an air cell;  
 
"cage eggs " means eggs which are produced by poultry  as set out in regulation 8(4); 
 
"candling " means examining the interior condition of an egg by rotating or causing the egg to rotate in front 
of or over a light source that illuminates the contents of the egg;  
 
"clean " with regard to the cleanliness of the shell of an egg, means a shell that is free of visible foreign 
matter, stains or discolourations to such a degree that the general clea n appearance thereof is not 
detrimentally affected;  
 
"consignment " means a quantity of eggs belonging to the same supplier, which is delivered at any one time 
under cover of the same invoice , consignment note, delivery note or receipt note, or is delivered  by 
the same vehicle, or if such a quantity is sub-sorted  into different batches, grades or size groups, 
each quantity of each of the different batches, grades or size groups;  
 
"container " means the wrapper in which a maximum of 60 eggs are packed for sale ; 
 
"controlled heat treatment process " means a standardised process where the time and temperature 
parameters were determined by heat penetration tests using temperature probes measuring the 
internal temperatures in the centre/core of the eggs, using the Z -value and Lethal rate (L) calculation 
to ensure that at least a 5 loga rithmic reduction is obtained for  the target organism ( Salmonella spp.  
in this case)  in the coldest egg:  Provided that a logarithmic reduction of 4 may be used for the 
coldest egg if a validated Salmonella spp . management system is in place along the entire value 
chain;   
 
"depth " with regard to an air cell, means the greatest distance between the outer surface of the shell of the 
egg and the lower meniscus of the air cell, measured vert ically with such meniscus;  
 
"diffused blood " means blood that has passed through to the egg white and the egg yolk;  
 
"D-value " means the Decimal Reduction Time, i.e . the time in minutes for the population of micro -organisms 
to be reduced by one log (i.e.  90%) at a specified temperature (Tx);  
  
 
 3 
"eggs " means the eggs of the species Gallus gallus  domesticus  (domesticated fowls), Meleagrus gallapavo  
(turkeys) and Anas  platyrhynchos  (ducks and muscovies);  
 
"Executive  Officer " means the officer designated under se ction 2(1) of the Act;  
 
"foreign matter " means poultry faeces , blood, body fluids,  feathers or parts of feathers, egg yolk, egg white, 
poultry feedstuffs, soil or any other matter , excluding ink and mineral oil of food grade  which w ere 
applied to the shell  of the egg for a specific purpose;  
 
 "free range eggs " means eggs which are produced by poultry as set out in regulation 8(2);  
           
"germ development " means  a circular dark area near the cent re of the yolk  shadow,  but if blood is visible  
the egg is  at a decay stage;  
 
"graded eggs " means eggs which are sorted into lots having similar characteristics as to quality and weight 
as set out in this regulation: Provided that mixed sized eggs which complies with the quality standards 
prescribed in this regul ation shall be regarded as graded eggs;  
 
"Haugh value " means a value as determined in accordance with regulation 1 6, that indicates the firmness of 
the egg white;  
 
"inspector " means the executive officer of the Act or an officer under his or her control, o r an assignee or an 
employee of an assignee;  
 
"Lethal rate (L) " means  the formula L= (10[(T-Tx)/Z] )/D used to calculate the equivalent lethality (i.e. equivalent 
log reduction) at different egg core temperatures in the pasteurisation process at one minute (60 
second) intervals as measured using appropriate instruments. The sum of the Lethal rates gives the 
cumulative lethality (Total log reduction) over the entire temperature profile, where  -- 
L = Lethal rate (equivalent log reduction calculated at 1 minute  intervals)  
T = Temperature (°C) under consideration (i.e. the actual pasteurisation temperature measured at a 
given point of time in the core of the egg)  
Tx = Reference Temperature (°C) (i.e. 57.2°C)  
Z = Z -value (i.e. 3.3) 
D = D -value (i.e. 1.9 minutes);  
 
"logarithmic reduction " means the reduction of the number of surviving spores of the target organism by a 
factor of 10 (i.e. a 90% reduction in the population);  
 
"loose eggs " means eggs that are displayed for sale in loose quantities or in a container th at is not covered 
or boxed;  
 
"meat spot " means a severed ovary or other foreign tissue that is not a normal constituent of the egg yolk or 
egg white and that detrimentally affects the appearance of an egg;  
 
"mould " means any fungus or mouldy growth occurri ng in an egg or on the shell thereof;  
 
"outer container " means a container in which more than one container of eggs is packed;  
 
"pack station " means any premises where eggs are packed for sale to the retail trade;  
 
"packer " means a person dealing in the co urse of trade with eggs by packing them for sale, and also a 
person on behalf of whom such product is packed for sale and , in the case of such product that is 
imported into the Republic in the containers in which the eggs are to be sold in the retail trade , the 
person importing such eggs for sale;  
 
"pasteurised eggs " means eggs which have been treat ed as set out in regulation 8(5); 
 
"person " means any individual, partnership, corporation, association , recognized legal entity  or other   
             business  unit;                                                                           
  
 
 4 
"poultry " means the species Gallus gallus  domesticus  (domesticated fowls), Meleagrus gallapavo  (turkeys) 
and Anas  platyrhynchos  (ducks and muscovies);  
 
"reasonably clean " with regard to the cleanliness of the shell of an egg, means that not more than six per 
cent of the total surface area of the shell may be covered with foreign matter, stains or 
discolourations, and that no individual occurrence of foreign matter or a stain o r discolouration 
covers more than three per cent of the total surface area of the shell;  
 
"spotted " with regard to a yolk, means that the yolk appears mottled owing to the occurrence of spots or a 
developed germ cell that is not a blood spot or meat spot a nd which detrimentally affects the 
appearance of the yolk;  
 
"strong " with regard to the texture of the shell of an egg, means that such shell has no cracks, soft spots or 
large air pores;  
 
"total log reduction " means the sum of the Lethal rates (La + Lb + Lc + Ld, etc.) as calculated at one 
minute intervals over the entire pasteurisation process;  
 
"swimmer " means an air cell that does not maintain a fixed position within an egg, but moves freely between 
the shell membranes when that egg is rotated;  
 
"the Ac t" means the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990);  
 
"trade mark " means a trade mark as defined in the Trade Marks Act, 1993 (Act No. 194 of 1993);   
 
"validated Salmonella spp . management system " means tests done by an independent  third party 
through out the value chain ( i.e. at b reeder, grower, layer, packer, heat treatment, d istributor, 
wholesale and r etail levels) to provide proof that the management system is working and that there is 
no Salmonella spp . contamination or re -conta mination; and  
 
"Z-value " means a value (Kinetic factor) providing information on the relative resistance of an organism 
(Salmonella spp. in this case) to different destructive temperatures, thus allowing for the calculation 
of equivalent thermal processes at different temperatures using the lethal rate (L) calculation:  
Provided that it is advised that the worst case scenario value be used, i.e. a Z -value of 3.3 at 57.2°C 
and a D-value of 1.9 (reference Lemgo D and Z -value database for food;  http://www.hs -
owl.de/fb4/ldzbase/index.pl ). 
 
Restrictions on the sale of eggs  
 
2. (1) No person shall, subject to the provisions of sub-regulation  (2), sell eggs for human 
consumption in the Republic of South Afri ca -- 
 
(a) unless those eggs are sorted  according to size and grade  in terms of regulations 3 
and 4 respectively;  
 
(b) unless those eggs comply with the standa rds for the grades referred to in regulation  
5; 
 
(c) unless those eggs, when packed, are packed i n a container and an outer con tainer 
in accordance with regulations 6 and 7; 
 
(d) unless the container and outer container in which the eggs are packed, are marked 
with the particulars and in the m anner set out  in regulations 8  to 11; 
 
(e)      unless egg s sold in loose quantities are marked with the particulars and in the m anner 
set out  in regulation  12; and 
 
(f)        if the container or outer container in which the eggs are packed, is  marked with any 
restricted particulars or in a manner which is proh ibited in terms of regulation 13. 
  
 
 5 
(2) The Executive Officer may grant written exemption, entirely or partially to any person on 
such condition, as he or she may deem necessary, from the provisions of sub-regulation  (1).  
 
 
PART I  
SIZING AND GRADING OF EGGS  
 
Sizing of eggs  
 
3. (1) Sorting of eggs into sizes is optional: Provided that if the eggs  are – 
 
(a) sorted  into sizes , they shall be sorted according to the mass ranges set out  in 
column 2 of Table 2, and presented for sale in accordance with the applicable size 
designation set out  in column 1  of the said Table ; or 
 
(b) not sorted  into sizes , they shall be presented for sale as “Mixed sizes” only . 
 
(2) In the case of eggs sorted into sizes, t he applicable minimum mass prescribed for a 
particular size in Table 2 may deviate to the extent allowed for in Table  4. 
 
Grades of eggs  
 
4. (1) Eggs shal l be graded as Grade 1, Grade 2  and Grade  3. 
 
 (2) Eggs which do not qualify as Grade 3 , or do not  comply with the standards for sizes 
prescribed in Table 2, shall not be pre sented for sale.  
 
Standards for grades  
 
5. Eggs shall be graded as follows:  
 
(1) Grade 1 if - 
 
(a) the standards for grades set out  in column 2, of Table 3 of the Annexure, opposite 
the quality factor set out  in column 1 of the said table , is complied with ;   
 
(b) the extent to which a defect may occur does not exceed the maximum per centage 
or quantity as set out  in column 2, of Table 4 of the Annexure, opposite the nature of 
defect set out  in column 1 of the said table; and 
 
(c) the number of eggs in acco rdance with the maximum percentage permissible 
deviation as set out  in Table 5 of the Annexure is not exceeded . 
 
(2) Grad e 2 if - 
 
(a) the standards for grades set out  in column 3, of Table 3 of the Annexure, opposite 
the quality factor set out  in column 1  of the said table, is complied with;   
 
(b) the extent to which a defect may occur does not exceed the maximum per centage 
or quantity set out  in column 3, of Table 4 of the Annexure, opposite the nature of 
the defect set out  in column 1 of the said table ; and 
 
(c) the number of eggs in accordance with the maximum percentage permissible 
deviation as set out in Table 5 of the Annexure is not exceeded . 
 
 (3) Grade 3 if - 
 
(a) the standards for grades set out  in column 4, of Table 3 of the Annexure, opposite 
the quality factor set out  in column 1 of the said table, is complied with;    
 
 6 
(b) the extent to which a defect may occur does not exceed the maximum per centage 
or quantity set out  in column 4, of Table 4 of the Annexure, opposite the nature of 
defect set out  in column 1 of the said table; and 
 
(c) the number of eggs in accordance with the maximum percentage permissible 
deviation as set out  in Table 5 of the Annexure is not exceeded . 
 
 
PART II  
CONTAINERS AND OUTER CONTAINERS  
 
Requirements  for containers and out er containers  
 
6. (1) A container  and an outer container -- 
 
(a) shall be intact and be made from material that -- 
 
(i) is suitable for the purpose; and 
 
(ii) does not impart any taste or odour to the eggs packed therein;  
 
(b) shall be so strong that it pr otects the eggs during normal handling or transport 
practices, to such an extent that the eggs packed therein shall not be damaged;  
 
(c) shall not absorb an excessive quantity  of moisture during cooling to the extent that 
the packaging deviates from its in tended form;  
 
(d) shall be free from any matter other than the eggs packed therein and the packing 
material in which such eggs are customarily packed:  Provided that advertising 
material is permitted on or in the container or outer container or on the eggs ; 
 
(e) may be new or recycled: Provided that if a recycled container or outer container  is 
used , it shall be cleaned thoroughly before eggs are packed therein and all the 
previous marks and labels shall be removed or be covered by new labels; and 
 
(f) shall be closed properly in a manner allowed by the nature thereof.  
 
(2) Container s, including any other packaging material used to contain and /or protect the eggs , 
shall --  
 
(a) by design be compatible with the outer containers; and  
 
(b) fit snugly into the outer c ontainers and leave no unused space, ullage or gaps .  
 
Packing requirements  
 
7. (1) Each container and outer container shall, with due regard to the packing material used 
therein, be packed with eggs to the full capacity thereof.  
 
(2) Eggs of different gra des shall not be packed together in the same container or outer 
container.  
 
(3) Subject to regulation 10(2)(b), eggs of different sizes shall not be packed together in the 
same container or outer container.  
 
 
 
  
 
 7 
PART III  
MARKING REQUIREMENTS  
 
Marking of con tainers and outer containers  
 
8. (1) Containers and outer containers shall be marked at least in English  with the following 
particulars and in the following manner: Provided that , if preferred , the containers and outer containers may , 
in addition to Englis h, also be marked in any other official language of the Republic of South Africa, or in the 
case of imported eggs , in the language of the country of origin : 
 
(a) The size and grade of eggs , as set out in regulation 10, shall be indi cated on the 
front or t op panel of t he container or outer container : Provided that where the afore -
mentioned information is indicated on the outer container, a list of the sizes and/or 
grades with boxes next to them that can be ticked  may be used: Provided further 
that the boxes  ticked shall correspond with the actual size and /or grade of the eggs 
packed in such outer containers.  
 
 (b) The expression “eggs” shall be indicated on the front or top panel: Provided that the 
following information may precede or follow the expression “ eggs” in letters of the 
same size, font and colour:  
 
(i) The specific production methods, namely “cage”, “barn”  or “free range” : 
Provided further that the production method indicated shall at least comply 
with the applicable definition in regulation 1.  
 
(ii) The pa rticulars referr ed to in paragraphs (a), (c) and (e ). 
 
(iii) Registered trademarks which include any reference related to a particular 
feed ingredient such as but not limited to “grain fed”, “canola”, etc. and which 
has been registered for use on eggs and/or all owed for on eggs prior to 15 
April 2016 (i.e. the date of publication of the egg amendment regulations in 
the Government Gazette in 2016) : Provided that such registered trademarks 
shall also comply with the requirements stipulated in paragraph (i). 
 
(iv) Regist ered trademarks or brand names which include the name of a farm, 
name/surname of the owner/packer/producer, the name of the registered 
company or closed corporation, or any other names which does not make 
any health or nutrition claims and which has been r egistered for use on eggs 
and/or allowed for on eggs prior to 15 April 2016  (i.e. the date of publication 
of the egg amendment regulations in the Government Gazette in 2016) . 
 
(c) The expression “Pasteurised” shall be indicated on the front or top pane l if the eggs 
have been pasteurized: Provided that the standards set out in regulation 8(5) have 
been complied with .  
 
(d) Details about the packer, as set out  in regulatio n 11, sha ll be indicated on any panel.  
 
(e) If the eggs were not obtained from the speci es Gallus gallus  domesticus , the name 
of the species from which the eggs were obtained shall be indicated  on the front or 
top panel.  
 
(f)     The “best before ” or “best quality before”  date shall be indicated on any panel :  
Provided that such date shall –  
 
(i) in the case of unpasteurised eggs not exceed 40 days from the date of lay of 
the eggs ; or 
 
(ii) in the case o f pasteurised eggs not exceed 56 days from the date of lay of 
the eggs;   
 
 8 
(iii) be preceded by the expression “ best b efore”  or the abbreviation “BB”, or 
“best quality before” , as the case may be ; 
 
(iv) be indicated in the sequence “day -month -year” (i.e. “dd/mm/yyyy”) when 
numbers only are used: Provided that in the case of imported products 
where an altered date sequence is used, the month shall be i ndicated in 
letters, either written out in full or abbreviated, and the year shall be written 
out in full; and  
 
(v) not be removed or altered by any person . 
 
(g) The expression “oiled” shall be indicated on the front or top panel if the eggs have 
been coated w ith food grade mineral oil.  
 
 (h) (i)  Other descriptions,  statements, expressions , markings or claims which 
implies a message of eggs being healthy or healthier, additive -free, or  
energy and/or nutritionally enhanced or improved by any method, including 
agricultural practices,  shall comply with the requirements of the regulations 
published under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 
No. 54 of 1972).  
 
(ii)  The producer, packer or retailer shall upon request provide the Executive 
Officer with the necessary scientific based evidence justifying the use of 
these claims.  
 
(2)       (a)  Eggs shall only be marked with the expression “free range” if such eggs are 
produced by poultry which -- 
 
(i) are not caged and are housed in a shed/ barn with a  stocking density not 
exceeding 10 adult hens per square meter of available floor space; and  
 
(ii) have daily access to an outdoor range area not exceeding 5 adult hens per 
square meter: Provided that –  
 
(aa) such outdoor range shall – 
 
(aaa)  be accessible through openings in the side of the shed/ 
barn;  
 
(bbb)  be maintained in a manner that allows for a minimum of 50% 
living vegetation present at all times; and  
 
(ccc)  have adequate shade by way of trees or artificial structures 
at the rate of 4 square meters per 1000 adul t hens; and  
 
(bb) egg producers may during the high risk period for Highly Pathogenic 
Avian Influenza (HPAI) or during an outbreak of Virulent Newcastle 
disease (vND), house free range flocks indoors for a maximum 
continuous period of 24 weeks during a year: Pr ovided further that – 
 
(aaa)  the commencement of the 24 week period shall start on the 
date on which the flock concerned is confined to the 
shed/barn;  
 
(bbb)  the producers shall on or before the first day of 
commencement inform the designated assignee tha t the 
flock is/  will be confined indoors; and  
 
(ccc)  each producer shall keep accurate records about the dates 
on which the flock is confined to the shed/  barn and allowed 
to roam outdoors again.   
 
 9 
(b) If the 24 week confinement period referred to paragraph (a)(ii)(bb) above is         
exceeded, all eggs produced thereafter shall be marked and presented for sale as 
“barn eggs”.  
 
(c)      Egg producers shall, on or before the first day of commencement of confinement, 
inform the channels of distribution used an d their customers, that the flock 
concerned is being confined to the shed/  barn under veterinary instruction, and shall 
advise their distribution channels and their customers to display notices advising the 
consumers of the confinement of the flock.  
 
(3) Eggs shall only be marked with the expression “barn eggs” if such eggs are produced by 
poultry that are not caged but are confined to a shed/ barn indoors, with a stocking density not exceeding 10 
adult hens per square meter of available floor space.  
 
(4) Eggs shall only be marked with the expression “cage eggs” if such eggs are produced by 
poultry that are kept in cages throughout their laying period: Provided that -- 
 
(a) cages shall be within a shed and may include a nest box, perch and a dust bath; and  
 
(b) birds shall have adequate space to feed and lay.  
 
(5) Eggs shall only be marked with the expression “pasteurised” if such eggs were exposed to a 
controlled heat treatment process (e.g. irradiation, microwave, hot air and/or hot water) to ensure a minimum 
of 5 logarithmic reduction (5 log) of the target organism ( Salmonella spp. in this case ) in the coldest egg: 
Provided that – 
 
(a)     producers shall have the following requirements in place:  
 
(i) Sorting of eggs by weight (5g tolerance,  i.e. 2.5g deviation both sides of the 
target weight) and removal of cracked eggs since the pasteuris ation process 
(heat treatment) require uniform eggs sizes and uncracked eggs to be 
effective.  
 
(ii) Microbiological tests of pasteurised eggs as part of a Quality Management 
System.  
 
(iii) Good Manu facturing Practices (GMP) to ensure that adequate separation of 
unprocessed eggs and pasteurised eggs occurs inside the packing station 
and that the same w orkers do not handle unpasteurised and pasteuris ed 
eggs.  
 
(iv) Regular screening of chicken flocks in the egg production units for 
Salmonella spp.  
 
(v) Traceability of the eggs.  
 
(vi) Record keeping of all processes.  
 
(b) a logarithmic reduction of 4 may apply for the coldest egg if a validated Salmonella 
spp. management system is in place along the entire value chain ; and  
 
(c) the following egg quality related aspects shall be kept in mind:  
 
(i) The egg whites may be slightly opaque but no gelling, coagulation and 
lumps may be present.  
 
(ii) The pasteurisation temperature may vary between 54°C and 59°C, but it is 
advised that the eggs should not be kept for long at the higher temperatures 
or go above 59°C since the eggs whites may become unacceptable from a 
quality viewpoint.   
 
 10 
(iii) The thick white part of the eggs shall be reasonably firm with a Haugh Value 
of at least 65 units and m aintain a value of more than 60 after 56 days.  
 
(6) The provisions of this regulation shall also apply to -- 
(a) particulars that are marked on a notice board displayed at or in the immediate 
vicinity of eggs; and  
 
(b) all advertisements and any other promotio nal material related to the sale of eggs.  
 
(7) Any information appearing on any container or outer container, in terms of these regu lations, 
shall be marke d in letters and figures that - 
 
(a) appear on a contrasting background;  
 
(b) are cle arly legible; and 
 
(c) comply with the minimum vertical heights stipulated in columns 2 and 3 of Table 1 of 
the Annexure, opposite the corresponding nature of indication set out  in column 1 of 
the said table.  
 
(8) If eggs have been imported into the Republic  of South Afr ica – 
 
(a) in containers in which such eggs will be sold, the name of the country of origin  
there of, preceded by the expression “Imported from”  shall be indicated on each  such 
container and outer container together with the particulars referred to in  regul ation 
11; or 
 
(b) in bulk for the purpose of repack ing into containers, the expression “Imported  from” 
followed by the expression “Packed by” shall be indicated on such container  and 
outer container together with the particula rs referred to in regulation  11; 
 
(c) the outer containers and containers shall be marked with the expression “eggs have 
been refrigerated”, or any other expression having a similar meaning, on the top or 
front panel ;  
 
(d) the outer containers and containers shall, for the purpose of traceabi lity, be marked 
with the name of the farm in the country of origin; and  
 
(e) the importer shall ensure that the requirements set out in  the “Prohibition regarding 
the removal of imported regulated agricultural products intended for the sale in the 
Republic of South Africa from the prescribed ports of entry”  published in terms of the 
Act have been met.  
 
(9) The vertical height of the letters and figures used to indicate the applicable size and grade 
designation referred to in sub-regulation  (1), shall not be le ss than any other letter or figure, except a letter or 
figure used in the trade mark or  name of the packer , whichever is applicable, or  in the expr essions “Eggs” , 
“Free R ange Eggs”  or “Barn Eggs” that appears on the container or outer container into which the eggs are 
packed.  
 
Additional particulars on containers  
 
9. (1) The expression “fresh” may be marked on a container: Provided that – 
 
(a) the eggs marked as such shall at any stage during the shelf life comply with the 
Haugh Value as set out in item 11 of Table 3 for Grade 1;  
 
(b) pasteurised eggs and Grade 2 and Grade 3 eggs shall not be labelled as “fresh”; 
and 
  
 
 11 
(c) the letter size of the largest letter shall not exceed 5 mm in height.  
 
(2) The exp ression “heat treated” may only be marked on a containe r containing pasteurised 
eggs.  
 
Indication of the size and grade designations  
 
10. (1) The designations of the size and grade into which eggs have been sorted  and clas sified 
shall be marked conspicuously on the container and outer container in which those  eggs are packed.  
 
(2) A designation referred to in sub-regulation  (1) shall – 
 
(a) in the case of a size designation, consist of the applicable expression  set out  in 
column 1 of Table 2 in the Annexure;  
 
(b) in the case of different sizes packed in the sa me container or outer container, be 
marked wi th the expression “mixed sizes” ; and 
 
(c) in the case of a grade designation, consist of the applicable expres sion referred to in 
regulation 4 . 
 
Indication of the packer  
 
11. (1) The initials and surname, or tra de name of the packer shall appear on each container and 
outer container used.  
 
(2) The address of the packer shall be marked on the containers and outer containers, and shall 
– 
 
(a) consist of the physical address of the premises in the Republic where that pr oduct is 
packed by such packer, or where the ordinary place of business of such packer is 
situated, followed by the name of the town, suburb, city or magisterial district in 
which that premises is situated, or the postal address toget her with the telephone  
number; and 
 
(b) be marked on such container and outer container following the particulars referred 
to in sub-regulation  (1). 
 
(3) If the eggs have been packed on behalf of a person – 
 
(a) the initials and surname or trade name of the persons on whose beh alf the eggs 
have been packed shall be substituted for the particulars referred to in sub -
regulation (1);  
 
(b) the physical address of the premises in the Republic where the ordinary place of 
business of such person is situated, followed by the name of the  town, suburb, city 
or magisterial district in which that premises is situated, or the postal address 
together with the telephone number, shall be substituted for the particulars referred 
to in paragraph (a) of sub -regulation (2);  
 
(c) such address shall b e marked on the  container and outer container following the 
particulars  referred to in paragraph (a); and 
 
(d) the person on whose behalf the eggs have been packed, must at all times be able to 
inform the Executive Officer who the supplier of the eggs is , i.e. eggs shall at all 
times be traceable to the farm from which they originate . 
 
Indications when  eggs are  presented for sale  in loose quantities  
 
12. When eggs are kept or displayed for sale in loose quantities --  
 
 12 
(a) eggs of different grades , types ( i.e. pasteurised or unpasteuris ed), sizes, origin and type of 
production system, except in the case of mixed sizes,  shall be ke pt or displayed separately; 
and  
 
(b) the following information  shall be prominently marked on a notice board in the immediate 
vicinity of the eggs in clear legible letters and figures with a vertical height of at least 10 mm 
in height:  
 
(i) The s ize designation of the eggs concerned or  the expression “mixed sizes” , 
whichever  is applicable . 
 
(ii) The grade designation of the eggs concerned . 
 
(iii) The country of origin . 
 
(iv) The name of the packer  only. 
 
(v) The best before date . 
 
(vi) The expression “ pasteurised”  if the eggs have been pasteuris ed. 
 
Restricted particulars on containers and outer containers  
 
13. (1) (a) No registered trademark, brand name, mark or  other method of expression using the 
following words or wording shall be indicated on a container or outer container 
containing eggs:  
 
(i) The words “super”  and “extra”  (including any translation thereof), except 
when used as an indication of the size designa tion of the eggs.  
 
(ii) A message of veterinary medicine -free or which indicates the more humane 
treatment or rearing of poultry or which creates an impression that the eggs 
are safer or that poultry was fed a special diet such as, but not limited to, 
“antibiot ic free”, “fed a diet free of hormones”, “cage free”, “furnished cage”, 
“safe”, “pure”, “grass fed”, “pasture fed”, “forage fed”, “canola fed”, “grain 
fed”, “mixed grain”,  “organic”,  etc. 
 
(iii) Any other wording not addressed in sub -paragraphs (i) and (ii) abov e that 
constitutes a misrepresentation or either directly or by implication creates or 
may create a misleading impression regarding the contents, quality, origin, 
grade, size group, production method or diet.  
              
(b) No illustration, depiction, l ogo or other method of visual expression that constitutes a 
misrepresentation or either directly or by implication creates or may create a 
misleading impression regarding the contents , quality, origin, grade, size group, 
production method or diet  shall be indicated on a container or outer container 
containing eggs.  
 
(c) Only production methods addressed and defined in these regulations shall be 
permitted on any container or outer container containing eggs.  
  
 
PART IV  
SAMPLING AND EXAMINATION  
 
Sampling  
 
14. For the purpose of inspection for quality control an inspector shall take such samples of a product, 
material, substance or other article in question as he or she may deem necessary.  
  
 
 13 
Methods of examination  
 
15. (1) The methods to be employed when a sample  referred to in regulat ion 14, is examined in 
order to determine the extent to which eggs, with a defect referred to in regulation 5 are present in the 
quantity of eggs from which that sample is taken shall be as follows:  
 
(a) Subject to the p rovisions of sub-regulation  (2) – 
 
(i) each egg in the sample shall be numbered;  
 
(ii) each egg in that sample shall be examined visually in terms of exter nal 
defects and where applicable by means of a suitable candling de vice with 
which int ernal defects can be observed; and 
 
(iii) the depth of the air cell of an egg shall be determined as follows:  
 
(aa) A calibrated measuring plate shall be placed on the broad end of 
the egg while it is held vertically against the candling device with 
the broad end at the top.  
 
(bb) The valu e on the calibrated measuring plate shall be read off 
opposite the lower meniscus of the air cell.  
 
(cc) Such reading shall represent the depth of the air cell of the egg 
concerned; or   
   
(dd) The inspector inspecting the eggs may choose to use the Haugh 
value determined in accord ance with the method set out in 
regulation 16 instead . 
 
(b)    Eggs with defects shall – 
 
(i) be removed from the sample if the egg is examined individually and 
thereafter replaced into its numbered place;  
 
(ii) not be replaced into its number ed place after it has been broken open; and 
 
(iii) each separate number of eggs with each deviation shall be deter mined 
separately.  
 
(c) Each number thus determined shall be expressed as a percentage of the number of 
eggs thus inspected.  
 
(d) Such percentage sh all represent the percentage of eggs in the quantity con cerned 
in which a defect of the type concerned occurs.  
 
(2) If it appears from an examination in terms of sub -regulation (1) that an egg thus examined 
has a particular internal defect, that egg may b e broken open in order to verify the occur rence of the defect 
concerned.  
 
Determination of Haugh value  
 
16. The Haugh value of the white of an egg that is graded in terms of regulation 5 shall be deter mined as 
follows:  
 
(a) The mass of the egg shall be d etermined.  
 
(b) A Haugh meter or micro meter shall be set up in accordance with the manufacturer's 
directions for use thereof on a level glass or stainless steel surface, the operation thereof 
shall be tested, and if necessary, shall be calibrated.   
 
 14 
(c) The temperature of the egg concerned shall be increased or decreased to between 7°C and 
15°C.  
 
(d) The egg shall be broken open carefully so that the thick white is not ruptured and the 
contents of the egg are  carefully placed on the glass or stainless steel surface.  
 
(e) Adjust the rea ding on the scale of the Haugh V alue conversion table/  chart to reflect the 
mass, as determined in paragraph (a), of the egg concerned.  
 
(f) The Haugh meter or micro meter shall be moved into position over the broken egg so that  
the measuring rod thereof, when lowered, will touch the white approxi mately 10 mm away 
from the edge of the yolk.  
 
(g) The measuring rod of the Haugh meter or micro meter shall be lowered carefully until the 
lower end thereof just touches the white, and the reading on the meter shall then be taken.  
 
(h) Such rea ding shall represent the Haugh V alue of the white of the egg concerned.  If a micro 
meter is used, the Haugh V alue is read off from the Haugh V alue conversion table/  chart.  
 
 
PART V  
VALIDITY PERIOD  FOR PRODUCTION METHOD REQUIREMENTS  
 
17. The minimum production method requirements prescribed in these regulations for “barn eggs” , “cage 
eggs” and  “free range  eggs” shall only be applicable until the regulations for management control systems 
addressing these production methods have been promulgated.  
 
 
PART VI  
OFFENCES  AND PENALTIES  
 
Offences and penalties  
 
18. Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with a provision of these regulations, shall be guilty of 
an offence and on conviction be liable to a fine or to impris onment  in accordance with section 11 of the Act.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 15 
ANNEXURE  
TABLE 1  
LETTER SIZES OF INDICATIONS  
 
Nature of indication  Minimum vertical height of smallest letter or 
figure (mm)  
Container  Outer container  
1 2 3 
1. Indicat ion of size and grade designation [Reg.  
8(1)(a),  10] 
 5 5 
2. The expressions “Eggs”  [Reg. 8(1)(b) ] 
 
3. The optional expressions  “cage”, “barn”, and “free 
range”  [Reg. 8(1)(b) (i)] 
 
4. The expression “pasteurized” [Reg. 8(1)(c) ] 5 
 
5 
 
 
5 5 
 
5 
 
 
5 
 
5. Indic ation of packer [Reg. 8(1)(d ), 11] 
  
1  
5 
6. Name of the species [Reg. 8(1)(e)] 
 
7. Indication of best before date [Reg. 8(1)(f )] 
 
8. The  expression  “oiled ” [Reg. 8(1)(g )] 
 5 
 
1 
 
3 5 
 
1 
 
5 
9. Country of origin  [Reg. 8(8)] 1 5 
   
10. Indication of the m arking requirements in the 
case of sale  in loose quantities  [Reg. 12] 
 
11. Indication that the flock has been confined  [Reg .  
8(2)(c)]  10 
 
 
10 
 
 
TABLE 2 
 
SIZES AND STANDARDS FOR SIZES  
 
Size designation  Mass per egg  
 
1 2 
 
Super Jumbo   
More than 72 g  
 
Jumbo More than 66 g  
 
Extra large  
 More than 59 g  
Large  More than 51 g  
 
Medium  
 More than 43 g  
 
Small  More than 33 g  
 
Mixed sizes  More than 33 g  
 
  
 
 16 
TABLE 3  
 
STANDARDS FOR GRADES  OF EGGS  
 
Quality factor  
 Grade  1 Grade 2  
 Grade 3  
1 2 3 4 
1.     Soundnes s of 
        shell No cracks  No cracks  No cracks  
2. Cleanliness of shell  
  Clean  Clean  Reasonably clean  
 
3. Shape of shell  
 Regular  Regular  Regular  
4. Texture of shell   Strong and smooth  Strong and smooth  Strong and  smooth  
5. Blood spots, blood 
rings a nd diffused 
blood in egg  None  None  None  
6.  Meat spots in egg  None  None  None  
7. Mould  
 None  None  None  
8.    Poultry faeces       
  None  None  None  
9.     Abnormal  or 
unaccep table odours  
 None  None  None  
10. Yolk (i) Normally positio ned 
 
(ii) Not spott ed, flat or 
enlarged  
 
(iii) Characteristic 
colour  (i) Normally positio ned 
 
(ii) Not spotted, flat or 
enlarged  
 
(iii) Characteristic 
colour  * 
 
* 
 
 
* 
11. Egg white  (i) Clear : Provided that 
pasteu rised egg 
whites are slightly 
opaque  (i) Clear:  Provided t hat 
pasteu rised egg 
whites are slightly 
opaque  
 (i) Clear : Provided 
that pasteu rised 
egg whites are 
slightly opaque  
 (ii) Haugh  value at 
least 55 units:  
Provided tha t for 
pasteurised eggs 
minimum H augh 
value is 65  (ii) Haugh value at 
least 35 units : 
Provided tha t for 
pasteurised eggs 
minimum H augh 
value is 65  
 * 
12.  Aircells  (i) Maximum depth 
6 mm (i) Maximum depth 
9 mm 
 * 
 (ii) Shall not move 
more than 6 mm in 
any direction when 
the egg is tilted 
from the vertical 
position  
 (ii) Shall not move 
more  than 12 mm 
in any direction 
when the egg is 
tilted from the 
vertical position  * 
 (iii) No swim mers  
 
(iv) No bubbly air cells  (iii) No swim mers  
 
(iv) No bubbly air cells  (iii) No swim mers  
 
(iv) No bubbly air cells   
 
 17 
Quality factor  
 Grade  1 Grade 2  
 Grade 3  
1 2 3 4 
 
13. Decay or germ 
developments  
 None  None  None  
* Not specified  
 
TABLE 4  
 
EXTENT TO WHICH CERTAIN DEFECTS MAY OCCUR IN EGGS  
 
Nature of defect per consignment  
 Grade 1  
 Grade 2  
  Grade 3  
1 2 3 4 
1. Eggs with cracks that result in leakage  
 1,7%  3,4%  
 6,7%  
 
2. Eggs with cracks that do not re sult in 
leakages  
 6,7% 8,4% * 
3 (a) Eggs with mould, adhering to shells . 
 0% 3,4% 16,7% 
(b)  Eggs with faeces . 
 1,7% 3,4% 16,7% 
(c) Eggs with nesting material adhering to 
shells and foreign matter . 
 3,4% 6,7% * 
 
4. Eggs with discolouration or stains on  shells  
 6,7% 
 8,4% 
 * 
5. Eggs with blood spots, blood rings, 
diffused blood, meat spots of - 
 
(a) light intensity: up to and including 1 
mm in diameter; and 
 
(b)  strong intensity: up to and including 2 
mm in diameter . 
  
 
 
3,4% 
 
 
1,7%  
 
 
6,7% 
 
 
3,4%  
 
 
* 
 
 
* 
6. Eggs with whites of which the Haugh 
Value is not more than five units lower 
than the applicable minimum specified in 
Table 3  
 10% 
 33,4% 
 * 
 
7. Eggs with air cells that  - 
 
(a) exceed the permi ssible maxim um 
depth or limit of movement; or 
 
(b) are swimmers or bubbly air cells . 
  
 
3.4% 
 
 
3.4%  
 
10% 
 
 
6.7%  
 
* 
 
 
10% 
8. Irregular shape of the shell  
 6,7% * *  
 
 18 
Nature of defect per consignment  
 Grade 1  
 Grade 2  
  Grade 3  
1 2 3 4 
9.   Deviations in mass:  
 
(a)  All sizes of e ggs of which the mass 
devia tes not more than 2 g from the 
minimum mass prescribed in Table 2. 
 
(b) Small eggs of which the mass deviates 
by more than 2 g below   the minimum  
mass of 33 g prescribed in Table 2.  
 
3,4% 
 
 
 
 
3,4%   
 
6,7% 
 
 
 
 
6,7%   
 
6,7% 
 
 
 
 
* 
   10.  Eggs packed with their broad ends down 
and pointed ends up  
 6,7%  10%  * 
 
11. Eggs with defects in: 
 
(a)   Yolk colour . 
 
(b)   Yolk normal position.  
 
(c)   Yolk not spotted , flat or enlarged . 
  
 
6,7%  
 
6,7%  
 
6,7%   
 
10% 
 
10% 
 
10%  
 
* 
 
* 
 
* 
12. Total number of eggs with defects , 
excluding  defects mentioned under item 6  
 10% 
 20% 
 * 
 
* Not specified  
 
TABLE  5 
 
NUMBER OF EGGS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE  
PERMISSIBLE  DEVIATION  
 
Maximum percentage (%) 
permissible deviation of 
eggs in a batch of 60 
eggs  and more  Number of eggs  
 Maximum percentage (%) 
permissible deviation of 
eggs in a batch of less 
than 60 eggs  Number of eggs  
 
1,7% 1 1,7% 0 
3,4% 2 3,4% 1 
5,0 %  3 5,0 %  1 
6,7% 4 6,7% 2 
8,4% 5 8,4% 2 
10,0%  6 10,0%  3 
13,4% 8 13,4% 4 
16,7% 10 16,7% 5 
20% 12 20% 6 
33,4% 20 33,4% 10 
41,7% 25 41,7% 12 
50,0% 30 50,0% 15