Idaho Administrative Code
Title IDAPA 02 - Agriculture, Department of
Rule 02.02.11 - RULES GOVERNING EGGS AND EGG PRODUCTS
Section 02.02.11.450 - SUMMARY OF IDAHO CONSUMER GRADES FOR SHELL EGGS

Universal Citation: ID Admin Code 02.02.11.450

Current through September 2, 2024

01. Grades for Shell Eggs -- Table 1.

TOLERANCE PERMITTED

QUALITY REQUIRED

Percent

Quality

IDAHO CONSUMER GRADE (origin)

Grade AA

87 percent AA

Up to 13 Not over 5

A or B Checks

Grade A

87 percent A or Better

Up to 13 Not over 5

B Checks

Grade B

90 percent B or Better

Not over 10

Checks

IDAHO CONSUMER GRADE (destination)

Grade AA

72 percent AA

Up to 28 Not over 7

A or B Checks

Grade A

82 percent A or Better

Up to 18 Not Over 7

B Checks

Grade B

90 percent B or Better

Not over 10

Checks
a. In lots of two (2) or more cases or cartons, see Table 2 of Section 450 for tolerances for an individual case or carton within a lot.

b. For Idaho Consumer Grades (at origin) a tolerance of five-tenths of one percent (0.5%) Leakers, Dirties, or Loss (due to meat or blood spots) in any combination is permitted except that such Loss may not exceed three-tenths of one percent (0.3%). Other types of Loss are not permitted.

c. For Idaho Consumer Grades (destination) a tolerance of one percent (1%) Leakers, Dirties, or Loss (due to meat or blood spots) in any combination is permitted, except that such Loss may not exceed three-tenths of one percent (0.3%). Other types of Loss are not permitted.

d. For Idaho Consumer Grade AA at destination, at least ten percent (10%) must be A quality or better.

e. For Idaho Consumer grade AA and A at origin and destination within the tolerances permitted for B quality, not more than one percent (1%) may be B quality due to air cells over three-eighths (3/8) inch, blood spots (aggregating not more than one-eighth (1/8) inch in diameter) or serious yolk defects.

f. For Idaho Consumer Grades AA and A Jumbo size eggs, the tolerance for checks at origin and destination is seven percent (7%) and nine percent (9%) respectively.

02. Tolerance for Individual Case or Carton Within a Lot -- Table 2.

Idaho Consumer Grade

Case Minimum Quality

Origin Percent

Destination Percent

Carton Minimum Quality, No. of Eggs (Origin & Destination)

Grade AA

AA (Min)

77

62

8 eggs AA

A or B

13

28

2 eggs A

Check (Max)

10

10

2 eggs B, or Check

Grade A

A (Min)

77

72

8 eggs A

B

13

18

2 eggs B

Check (Max)

10

10

2 eggs Check

Grade B

B (Min)

80

80

10 eggs B

Check

20

20

2 eggs Check

03. Summary of Standards for Quality of Individual Shell Eggs. The Specifications for Each Quality Factor:

Quality Factor

AA Quality

A Quality

B Quality

Shell

Clean

Clean

Clean to Slightly Stained

Unbroken Practically Normal

Unbroken Practically Normal

Unbroken Abnormal

Air Cell

1/8" or less in Depth. Unlimited movement and free or bubbly

3/16" or less in Depth.

Unlimited movement and free and bubbly

Over 3/16" in Depth.

Unlimited movement and free or bubbly

White

Clear Firm

Clear Reasonably Firm

Weak and Watery. Small Blood and Meat spots present

Yolk

Outline slightly defined. Practically free from defects

Outline fairly well defined.

Practically free from defects.

Outline plainly visible. Enlarged and flattened. Clearly visible germ development but no blood. Other serious defects
a. Moderately stained areas permitted (one thirty-second (1/32) of surface if localized or one-sixteenth (1/16) if scattered).

b. Blood and meat spots are allowed if they are small (aggregating not more than one-eighth (1/8) inch in diameter).

04. Quality of Dirty or Broken Shell Eggs -- Table 5. For eggs with dirty or broken shells, the standards of quality provide three additional qualities. These are:

Dirty

Check

Leaker

Unbroken Adhering dirt or foreign material, moderate stained areas in excess of B quality

Broken or cracked shell but membranes intact, not leaking

Broken or cracked shell and membranes and contents leaking or free to leak

05. Weight Classes. The weight class for Idaho Consumer Grades for shell eggs is as indicated in the following table:

Size Or Weight Class

Minimum Net Weight Per Dozen

Minimum Net Weight Per 30 Dozen (Pounds)

Minimum Weight For Individual Eggs At Rate Per Dozen (Ounces)

Jumbo

30

56

29

Extra Large

27

50.5

26

Large

24

45

23

Medium

21

39.5

20

Small

18

34

17

Peewee

15

28

-

06. Lot Average Tolerance. A lot average tolerance of three and three-tenths percent (3.3%) for individual eggs in the next lower weight class is permitted as long as no individual case within the lot exceeds five percent (5%).

Effective March 15, 2022

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Idaho may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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