Uttar Pradesh introduces mandatory egg labelling with laying and expiry dates to improve food safety, enforce compliance, and protect consumer health.
The Government of Uttar Pradesh has mandated that all eggs sold in the state must carry stamped information indicating both the date of laying and the expiry date, effective April 1. Eggs without these details will either be destroyed or labelled “not fit for human consumption,” according to a recent government directive.
The measure has been introduced to safeguard public health and ensure product traceability. Eggs remain safe for consumption for up to two weeks when stored at an ambient temperature of around 30°C. Under optimal refrigerated conditions (between 2°C and 8°C) their shelf life can extend up to five weeks.
Food safety norms also prohibit storing eggs alongside vegetables or other food items due to differing temperature and storage requirements. Proper handling and storage are critical to maintaining freshness and preventing contamination.
Currently, the state has limited egg-specific cold storage infrastructure, with only two facilities located in Agra and Jhansi. As reported by The Times of India, citing the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA), the lack of dedicated storage capacity presents an operational challenge, particularly since eggs cannot be stored with other perishables.
Investigations conducted by the Animal Husbandry Department and the FSDA revealed instances of stale or spoiled eggs being sold as fresh, posing potential health risks. The findings highlighted gaps in compliance with existing food safety regulations.
Harishankar Singh, Joint Commissioner of FSDA, noted that efforts to introduce traceability measures have been underway for two years. While batch numbering was initially considered, it proved impractical due to the fragmented sourcing of eggs. As a result, the government opted for a simpler and more effective approach, directly stamping the laying and expiry dates on each egg.
Additional Chief Secretary (Animal Husbandry and Dairy) Mukesh Meshram stated that non-compliance and lack of consumer awareness were key concerns driving the policy decision.
To facilitate implementation, a meeting with major egg distributors has been scheduled for March 18 to discuss execution and monitoring mechanisms ahead of the April 1 rollout.
The government has warned of strict enforcement. Producers, poultry farmers, and retailers failing to comply will face punitive action, including confiscation and destruction of non-compliant stock or mandatory labelling as unfit for consumption. Such products will not be permitted in the market.
Uttar Pradesh currently consumes approximately 2.5 crore eggs daily, while in-state production stands at around 1.6 crore eggs. The deficit is met through imports exceeding 90 lakh eggs per day from states such as Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Egg consumption across India has been rising by 20-25 percent annually, with the national per capita consumption at 106 eggs per year. In contrast, Uttar Pradesh records a significantly lower per capita consumption of 30 eggs annually. If consumption levels align with the national average, the state’s daily requirement could increase to approximately 7 crore eggs.
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