Egg stamping

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All eggs sold in NSW (except as noted below) must be individually stamped with the producer's unique identifier, usually a number or code.

Stamping helps food safety authorities trace eggs back to the farm. It provides a safeguard in the event of a food poisoning incident or outbreak.

Eggs can be stamped at the farm where they are produced or at a grading facility.

Selling or using eggs at retail 

Unstamped eggs must not be sold in NSW, except for the exemptions outlined below. This means all retail food businesses using and selling eggs in their business should check eggs before accepting them from suppliers. Eggs must be:

  • stamped with a unique identifier
  • clean, with no soil, faeces, feathers or other matter on the shell or packaging
  • not cracked or broken.

If eggs are unstamped, dirty, cracked or broken, businesses should return them to the supplier.

The requirements apply to:

  • supermarkets, butchers, grocers and any other business selling whole eggs
  • cafes, restaurants, takeaways and other food businesses using eggs in their kitchens.

If a business is found to be selling or using unstamped, or dirty, cracked or broken eggs, they may be issued with a 
warning notice. Failure to comply with the warning letter can result in further enforcement action.

Stamps

There are no mandatory images, symbols or lettering. The Food Authority only stipulates that the stamp is a unique code that is assigned exclusively to one producer. For example, it can be a symbol or it can be a series of numbers and letters.

The unique identifier is used by food safety authorities to trace eggs. It is not intended as consumer advice.

For consumers, the egg packaging provides relevant information about where the eggs come from and identifies which production method was used in producing the eggs such as cage, barn-laid, free-range and/or organic. The egg stamping code may be used in addition to other marketing or branding that consumers may see on eggs.

To assist small egg operators with the costs associated with stamping, the Food Authority provides them with a one-off free hand stamp with a pre-assigned code consisting of the letters ‘NSW’ followed by a 3 or 4 digit number (e.g. NSW1234). The stamp kit also includes 1 one-off pack of 5 ink refills.

Small egg farms need to 'notify' the Food Authority with your business details and food activities. You can notify online, free of charge via our online notification form.

Small egg farms will be provided with a free, self-inking egg stamp with a pre-assigned code once their notification has been processed.

Producers need to purchase ongoing ink refills and repair or replace the stamper (if required).

Exemptions

An exemption from stamping applies to small egg farmers that produce less than 20 dozen (240) eggs/week and, either:

  • sell those eggs direct from the farm gate, or
  • use those eggs for a fundraising activity where the eggs will be cooked

Sales interstate

Businesses supplying eggs interstate will need to research the stamping requirements of the destination.

Equipment failure

If egg stamping equipment fails, businesses need to notify the Food Authority by completing and submitting a Notification of Equipment Failure – Egg Stamping form within 24 hours of the licence holder becoming aware of the failure.

Stamping equipment options

Suppliers of egg stamping equipment are listed below. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list and is provided for information purposes only.

Australian suppliers:

International suppliers: