In the United States, egg regulation and inspection primarily fall under two federal agencies: the USDA and the FDA, with specific divisions based on egg type. The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) handles inspections of shell eggs packed for human consumption, focusing on grading, labeling, and safety at packing facilities. Meanwhile, the FDA oversees the production, transportation, storage, and safety of shell eggs before they reach packing plants, including on-farm Salmonella prevention.

Key Agency Roles

Shell eggs receive continuous oversight to prevent contamination like Salmonella, a major food safety concern. USDA AMS inspectors visit plants frequently, checking refrigeration, cleanliness, and proper handling under the Egg Products Inspection Act. FDA enforces rules like refrigeration below 45°F after processing and requires producer plans for disease control.

  • USDA Responsibilities : Inspects interstate shell eggs, voluntary grading (e.g., AA, A, B), and ensures accurate labeling.
  • FDA Responsibilities : Regulates egg products (liquid, frozen, dried) via FSIS for processing safety and shell eggs for overall adulteration prevention.
  • Shared Efforts : Both agencies collaborate on outbreaks, with recent focus on avian flu impacts as of 2025.

Historical Context

The split stems from the 1970 Egg Products Inspection Act, empowering USDA for products while FDA covers shells under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This dual system evolved after outbreaks, like 1990s Salmonella issues, leading to stricter rules. Today, amid 2026 egg price fluctuations from bird flu, inspections remain rigorous.

State-Level Variations

States like California have programs (e.g., ESQM) mirroring federal standards for local sales. Internationally, the UK's Animal and Plant Health Agency handles similar inspections.

TL;DR: USDA (AMS) for shell egg inspections at packing; FDA for production/safety of shells and products.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.