Coding Eggs HOW CHANGES IN 2024

EU Regulation 2023/2464 introduces new requirements for the coding and traceability of eggs, requiring them to be marked exclusively at the place of production. As part of the ‘farm to fork’ strategy, this regulation promotes transparency, sustainability and animal welfare while increasing consumer confidence. The legislation came into force on November 8th, 2024

EU Regulation 2023/2464 introduces a significant amendment to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, which sets marketing standards for eggs in the European Union. In line with the objectives of the European strategy “farm to fork” (F2F) presented by the Commission on May 20th, 2020, this update promotes transparency and consumer protection by promoting a fair, healthy and sustainable food system. The strategy promotes environmentally friendly agriculture and aims to reduce food waste.

To address recent concerns, the Commission has revised the rules on egg coding. Previously, eggs could be coded either at the place of production or at the first packing centre, but this dual option raised issues of traceability and mislabelling, potentially affecting food safety.

With the enforcement of EU Regulation 2023/2464, coding is now required only at the place of production, ensuring accurate and immediate traceability. This regulation meets the growing demand for safety and transparency, which is essential to protect consumers.

The Regulation, which entered into force on November 8th, 2024, amends the rules on egg marketing by stipulating that coding must be carried out exclusively at the place of production, i.e., on the farm. However, Member States may introduce derogations from this provision.

Egg coding allows both consumers and authorities to easily trace the history of each egg, ensuring transparency and security in the event of a food safety incident.

Specific coding on the shell for full traceability:

• The first digit identifies the type of farming system used by the hens.
• The following two letters indicate the country of origin (e.g. ‘IT’ for Italy).
• After that, a numerical code identifies the specific farm.

The increasing variety of egg packs in terms of type, size and material not only protects the product but also plays a key role in communicating important information to the consumer.

In addition to the coding on the shell, regulations require the following mandatory information to be placed on the egg pack, visible and legible on the outside of the packaging:

• Recommended Date of Consumption (RCD): to inform the consumer about the product’s freshness.
• Country of Origin and Producer Code: to ensure the consumer knows the product’s origin and the farming practices used.
• Packing Centre Number: to identify the specific location where the eggs were packed.
• Egg Size: indicated as S, M, L, XL.
• Farming Method: to indicate the type of farming for informed consumption.

Reliability and food safety at the service of producers

ZANASI solutions guarantee complete automation of the production process, offering traceability in compliance with food regulations and clear, permanent coding on both eggs and their packs. ZANASI’s CIJ.Z, Continuous InkJet marking system and the Z1 and Z4, Thermal InkJet marking systems guarantee flexibility, speed and optimal integration into production lines. Marking is done automatically according to the type selected (M, XL, floor-raised, non- floor-raised) and allows Datamatrix codes to be printed for traceability throughout the production chain.
The use of food-grade, food packaging inks and compatibility with a wide range of materials make these solutions ideal for meeting all coding requirements, ensuring consumer safety and enhancing producer identity.