About Us USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) Out of its home office in Tucker, Georgia, USAPEEC's reach is far-ranging. Through its network of international offices and consultants in key global markets, USAPEEC keeps current on issues that directly impact U.S. poultry and egg exports. Although USAPEEC's mission is to promote exports of U.S. poultry and eggs worldwide, the Council has evolved into an association that advocates for the industry on trade policy issues. Because of its status as a not-for-profit entity, USAPEEC does not lobby, but the organization can and does act as an intermediary with USDA, in Washington and at embassies and Agricultural Trade Offices around the world. ************************************************************ "The American Egg Board (AEB) was created by an Act of Congress in 1976 at the request of America’s egg farmers, who desired to pool resources for national category-level egg marketing. Home to The Incredible Egg and Egg Nutrition Center, AEB is dedicated to increasing demand for all U.S. eggs and egg products. For more than 40 years, America’s egg farmers have supported this mission by funding the AEB. The AEB is 100 percent farmer-funded, and those funds directly support the research, education and promotion necessary to market eggs. We are honored to serve America’s egg farmers.” **************************************************************** USA Poultry & Egg Export Council Hong Kong Office (covers Hong Kong and Taiwan) Unit 810, Concordia Plaza No.1 Science Museum Road Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong Tel: 852-2890-2908 Fax: 852-2895-5546 E-mail: hkoffice@usapeec.com.hk Related Links USA Poultry & Egg Export Council www.usapeec.org American Egg Board / The Incredible Egg https://www.incredibleegg.org/

Why US eggs? From Atlanta to Hong Kong, buyers know about the "egg-ceptional" qualities of U.S. eggs and egg products... Read More... Shell Eggs USDA standards are used throughout the U.S. industry to classify shell eggs into three consumer grades… U.S. Egg Products Direct from Mother Nature, with a touch of modern technology that cracks, separates and packages convenient forms of whole eggs whites and yolks, egg products provide food formulators with important benefits… Egg and Egg Product Safety The 1970 Egg Products Inspection Act requires that all egg products distributed for consumption be pasteurized… Egg Nutrition An Egg a Day is MORE Than Okay… More about Eggs What is double yolk eggs? How are they formed?... About Us Supported by American Egg Board (AEB), this website is targeted to serve as an information portal of U.S. eggs and egg products… Recipes Eggs can incredibly fit into meals of any daypart. Get inspired using our chef-created recipes… Shell Eggs USDA standards are used throughout the U.S. industry to classify shell eggs into three consumer grades… U.S. Egg Products Direct from Mother Nature, with a touch of modern technology that cracks, separates and packages convenient forms of whole eggs whites and yolks, egg products provide food formulators with important benefits… Egg and Egg Product Safety The 1970 Egg Products Inspection Act requires that all egg products distributed for consumption be pasteurized… Egg Nutrition An Egg a Day is MORE Than Okay… More about Eggs What is double yolk eggs? How are they formed?... About Us Supported by American Egg Board (AEB), this website is targeted to serve as an information portal of U.S. eggs and egg products… Recipes Eggs can incredibly fit into meals of any daypart. Get inspired using our chef-created recipes… Shell Eggs USDA standards are used throughout the U.S. industry to classify shell eggs into three consumer grades… U.S. Egg Products Direct from Mother Nature, with a touch of modern technology that cracks, separates and packages convenient forms of whole eggs whites and yolks, egg products provide food formulators with important benefits… Egg and Egg Product Safety The 1970 Egg Products Inspection Act requires that all egg products distributed for consumption be pasteurized… Egg Nutrition An Egg a Day is MORE Than Okay… More about Eggs What is double yolk eggs? How are they formed?... About Us Supported by American Egg Board (AEB), this website is targeted to serve as an information portal of U.S. eggs and egg products… Recipes Eggs can incredibly fit into meals of any daypart. Get inspired using our chef-created recipes… Shell Eggs USDA standards are used throughout the U.S. industry to classify shell eggs into three consumer grades… U.S. Egg Products Direct from Mother Nature, with a touch of modern technology that cracks, separates and packages convenient forms of whole eggs whites and yolks, egg products provide food formulators with important benefits… Egg and Egg Product Safety The 1970 Egg Products Inspection Act requires that all egg products distributed for consumption be pasteurized… Egg Nutrition An Egg a Day is MORE Than Okay… More about Eggs What is double yolk eggs? How are they formed?... About Us Supported by American Egg Board (AEB), this website is targeted to serve as an information portal of U.S. eggs and egg products… Recipes Eggs can incredibly fit into meals of any daypart. Get inspired using our chef-created recipes…

The Secret's Out of the Shell The functional properties of egg ingredients are well documented and applauded in an industry where the combination of function, nutrition and natural is a rarity. Egg ingredients score a triple play on these three attributes, but hit it out of the park when you add to this mixture the fact that egg ingredients are sourced domestically and priced competitively. The egg is one of the few natural sources of vitamin D in addition to host of other vitamins and minerals. The yolk provides the majority of the vitamins and minerals found in an egg, including most of the choline and vitamin B12, and approximately 40 percent of the protein. One large egg, or its equivalent within the further processed egg ingredient category, provides 6 grams of highly digestible protein.

Buying & Storing Buying Look for eggs with shells that are clean and unbroken. Buy USDA Grade AA or A shell eggs from refrigerated cases. Do not buy eggs having shells that are dirty, cracked or leaking. Do not buy eggs that are being stored at room temperature. Buy eggs before the Expiration (EXP) or the "Sell-By" date. The EXP date, however, is not federally required. Storing Eggs should never remain out of refrigeration for more than one hour. Eggs that are taken from a refrigerated environment and placed in a warm, humid environment will "sweat", or produce condensation on their shells. This is the perfect medium for the growth of bacteria. Store eggs in their carton, large end up, and on an inside shelf of a refrigerator. The carton helps protect the eggs from picking up odors and flavors from the other foods. In addition, the carton helps to prevent moisture loss. Keep eggs refrigerated at or below a temperature of 2°C to 7°C (35°F to 45°F) until they are to be used. Properly handled and stored eggs rarely spoil. USDA requires eggs to be stored at 7°C (45°C) or lower after processing. Fresh, uncooked shell eggs that have been properly refrigerated will maintain their high-quality for a more extended period of time.

Nutritious Dietary Patterns Dietary patterns (also called eating patterns) are the combinations and quantities of food and beverages consumed over time. Consistent evidence indicates that, in general, a plant-based dietary pattern is more health-promoting than the current average U.S. diet. However, a “plant-based” eating patterns doesn’t mean only plants; pairing high-quality protein foods, like eggs, with plants is essential for the synthesis and maintenance of muscle tissue, and for achieving optimal vitamin and mineral intakes. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend three healthy eating patterns, all of which include eggs. But what are the sample eating patterns, and what are the key differences between them? To learn more about healthy eating patterns, including those recommended in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines, and how eggs fit within those patterns, explore the following PowerPoint, and feel free to share it with friends! Healthy Eating Patterns: How do Eggs Fit?

More about Eggs Appearance/ missing eggs Egg safety miscellaneous Egg storage and handling General egg production questions Eggs FAQs

Egg-cellent Foods, Egg-cellent Proteins Consumers are looking for healthy alternatives. Can you help? Energy boosting foods are in demand. An egg, nature's answer to the quest for a near-perfect protein, is also your answer to the quest for a highly available, highly functional protein ingredient. Just look at the facts: Eggs contain the most easily digestible, most readily available protein compared to any other type. Eggs are used as the standard for measuring the protein quality of other ingredients. Processed eggs contribute the same high-quality protein as fresh. For more on the story of egg proteins, independent scientific studies and highlights of the egg's amazing functional properties download the pdf titled: egg-cellent Foods egg-cellent Protein. For information about health and nutrition topics, visit the Egg Nutrition Center at www.enc-online.org

The Yolk: A Nutrient Goldmine What You Lose Without the Yolk Eggs are packed with nutrients. One large egg has varying amounts of 13 essential vitamins and minerals - all for 70 calories. While egg whites contain some of the eggs’ high quality protein, riboflavin and selenium, when you skip the yolk, you lose at least a portion of the following nutrients found in part in the yolk and, in some cases, entirely in the yolk alone: Protein Vital for the health and maintenance of body tissues, such as muscle Other sources: Meat, fish, poultry, dairy, beans, nuts and seeds Note: Eggs provide the highest-quality protein available. Other sources of complete protein, which contains all essential amino acids, are animal proteins and soy. Vitamin D Works with calcium to promote bone health, regulates cell growth and immune function Other sources: Salmon, tuna, fortified foods such as milk and orange juice when fortified Choline Essential for normal functioning of all cells, important for brain development of a fetus during pregnancy Other sources: Beef or chicken liver, cod and cauliflower Vitamin B12 Involved in nerve function, energy metabolism and synthesis of DNA and red blood cells Other sources: Fish, meat, poultry, milk and fortified breakfast cereals Folate Prevents birth defects and damage to DNA, needed for cell division and growth Other sources: Fortified grain products, beans and spinach Vitamin A Supports immune function, eye health and cell growth Other sources: Meat, milk, sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots and cantaloupe Vitamin B6 Critical for protein metabolism and synthesis of neurotransmitters, important for immune function Other sources: Meat, poultry, beans and fortified breakfast cereals Iron Needed to transport oxygen throughout the body, involved in regulation of cell growth and immunity Other sources: Beef, tuna, fortified cereals, and beans Thiamin Required for nutrient metabolism and normal function of the heart, muscles and nervous system Other sources: Enriched bread and flour, meats, beans and nuts Vitamin E Antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage Other sources: Oils, nuts and seeds Selenium Regulates thyroid function, antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage Other sources: Brazil nuts, fish, poultry and beef Phosphorous Essential for development of healthy DNA, important in bone structure Other sources: Milk and other dairy products, meat, fish, poultry and nuts Zinc Supports normal growth and development during pregnancy and childhood, required for taste and smell, important for proper immune function and wound healing Other sources: Oysters, meat, poultry, seafood and beans There’s More to Eggs Than Just The Whites While eggs are commonly associated with breakfast and protein, many individuals aren’t aware of the nutrient package the whole egg provides. This includes a variety of important vitamins and minerals required for the body to maintain health. These nutrients, a majority of which are found in the yolk, play key roles in many aspects of health at all ages, from supporting fetal development in pregnant women to helping protect brain health in older adults. Additionally, enjoying an egg a day can fall within current cholesterol guidelines, particularly if individuals opt for other low-cholesterol foods throughout the day. In fact, the American Heart Association includes one medium egg on its list of healthy foods for under $1, making eggs an inexpensive and delicious way for individuals to get these nutrients.

Overview and Inspection Overview The term egg products refer to processed and convenience forms of eggs for commercial, foodservice, and home use. These products can be classified as refrigerated liquid, frozen, dried, and specialty products. For many years, eggs were marketed primarily as shell eggs, but in recent years egg consumption in the form of egg products has increased. Consumption of egg products in 1984 was 15% of the total eggs produced, or 25.6 million cases of shell eggs further processed. By 2003, the numbers increased to about 30% of the total egg production, or 60.9 million cases of shell eggs broken into egg products. Today, the production of frozen eggs has leveled out, some growth is noted in dried egg production, and production of refrigerated liquid eggs has greatly increased. Many new convenience forms of egg products are reaching the marketplace, both in the home and through foodservice and commercially processed foods. In fact, tremendous growth of the use of egg products has occurred in the foodservice industry, particularly in breakfast menu items and in the utilization of hard-cooked eggs on salad bars. Because they provide certain desirable functional attributes, egg products are widely used as ingredients in many food products. Fueled by increasing consumer demand for more convenience food products, growth of the egg products industry is expected to continue. Inspection The Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) was passed by Congress in 1970 to provide for the mandatory continuous inspection of the processing of liquid, frozen, and dried egg products. In 1995, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) became responsible for the inspection of processed eggs. FSIS inspects all egg products except for egg substitutes, imitation eggs, and freeze-dried products, which are inspected by the Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Officially inspected egg products bear the USDA inspection mark. Federal agriculture officials, or state officials acting on behalf of USDA, visit egg packers and hatcheries at least every three months to see that they are in compliance with the law. Companies that transport, ship, or receive shell eggs and egg products may also be checked periodically. Facilities that break, dry, and process shell eggs into liquid, frozen, or dried egg products must operate under a continuous USDA inspection program with an official inspector present at all times during processing. The law applies to all egg product processing facilities, regardless of size and to those selling products locally, across state lines, and internationally. The fact that U.S. processed eggs are growing in popularity is evidenced by an ever increasing demand. With today's lifestyle demands of convenience, fewer calories, lowered fat content, food safety and economy, U.S. egg products are a perfect choice.

Egg Product Safety The Importance of Egg Safety Unbroken fresh shell eggs may contain certain bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. The bacteria are Salmonella Enteritidis (SE). While the number of eggs affected is quite small, there have been some scattered outbreaks. Currently, the government, the egg industry, and the scientific community are working together to solve the problem. Egg Product Safety The term “egg products” refers to eggs that have been removed from their shells for processing. Basic egg products include whole eggs, whites, yolks and various blends, with or without non-egg ingredients, that are processed and pasteurized. They may be available in liquid, frozen and dried forms. Are Egg Products Pasteurized? Yes. The 1970 Egg Products Inspection Act requires that all egg products distributed for consumption be pasteurized. They are rapidly heated and held at a minimum required temperature for a specified time. The destroys Salmonella but it does not cook the eggs or affect their color, flavor, nutritional value or use. Dried whites are pasteurized by heating in the dried form. Can Egg Products Be Used in Uncooked Foods? Egg products can be used in baking or cooking (scrambled eggs, for example). They have been pasteurized, but are best used in a cooked product. Consumers should be sure that the internal temperature of the cooked dish reaches 160ºF. Egg products can be substituted in recipes typically made with raw eggs that won’t be cooked to 160ºF, such as Caesar salad and homemade mayonnaise. Although pasteurized, for optimal safety, it is best to start with a cooked base, especially if serving high-risk persons: people with health problems, the very young, the elderly and pregnant women. What Are Some Buying Tips? Containers should be tightly sealed. Frozen products should show no sign of thawing. Purchase refrigerated products kept at 40ºF or below. Avoid hardened dried egg products. Storage Times for Egg Products Frozen egg products – 1 year if the container for liquid products bears a “Use-By” date, observe it. For liquid products without an expiration date, store unopened cartons at 40ºF or below for up to 7 days not over 3 days after opening). Don’t freeze opened cartons or refreeze frozen cartons that have been thawed. Unopened dried egg products can be stored at room temperature as long as they are kept cool and dry. After opening, keep refrigerated. Use reconstituted products immediately or refrigerate and use that day. Other Egg-type items Certain egg-type items are not presently considered egg products. These items, which are under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) jurisdiction, include freeze-dried products, imitation egg products and egg substitutes. Inspected pasteurized egg products are used to make these items. No-cholesterol egg substitutes consist of egg whites, artificial color and other non-egg additives. Direct questions about egg substitutes to the manufacturer or to the FDA. USDA Dried Egg Mix USDA dried egg mix is a dried blend of whole eggs, nonfat dry milk, soybean oil and a small amount of salt. (This is a government commodity product, not usually available commercially.) To reconstitute, blend 1/4 cup with 1/4 cup water to make one “egg.” The reconstituted mix requires cooking. Store USDA Dried Egg Mix below 50F, preferably refrigerated. After opening use within 7 to 10 days. Use reconstituted egg mix immediately or refrigerate; use within 1 hour. In addition, whether refrigerated liquid, frozen or dried, egg products supply an impressive nutritional profile to most processed food products. When properly stored, these processed egg ingredients will maintain a stable shelf life for months. Some of the advantages of further processed eggs include: Assurance of a safe product Reduced risk of contamination Extended shelf life Convenience Consistent performance Product stability Functionality