To support an adequate supply of high quality table eggs, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is immediately waiving the provision which prohibits official grading for eggs over 21 days in age or for eggs that have previously shipped for sale (7 CFR 70.3). This temporary deviation from the voluntary grading regulations will help meet consumer demand by allowing eggs recently shipped to foodservice to be returned to the packing plant of origin for reprocessing, repackaging and grading for retail distribution.

In addition, AMS will allow a temporary extension of the age restriction for eggs bearing the USDA grade shield from 21 days to 30 days including the date of lay.