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…

Egg Nutrition

Pregnancy and Infant Nutritional Needs A dequate nutrition, even as early as 8 weeks before pregnancy begins, can help to ensure proper growth during critical stages of embryonic and fetal development and maintain optimal health of the mother as well. Vitamin needs increase considerably during pregnancy. Certain vitamins such as folate and vitamin B6, and minerals such as iron and iodide, are needed in quantities nearly double that of nonpregnant females due to their involvement in cell metabolism and reproduction. Other nutrients newly found to be essential for health are not yet classified as either vitamin or mineral but have been shown to be necessary for promotion of normal development of the fetus into infancy and beyond. ​ Choline is an essential nutrient that is associated with memory storage and muscle control. Choline metabolism is closely inter-related with the metabolism of folate and vitamin B12 to produce the amino acid methionine from homocysteine. Eggs are an excellent dietary source of choline, which in laboratory studies has been shown to enhance fetal brain development and memory function even into old age. The carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, also found in eggs, have been found to protect eyes from illness associated with vision loss in the elderly. ​ Eggs contribute many B vitamins including folate and vitamin B6 as well as a readily absorbable form of iron. It is well known that severe iron deficiency in pregnancy, especially during the first half of pregnancy, may lead to preterm delivery, low birth weight, and increased risk for fetal death in the first weeks after birth. ​ Most recently, research has indicated that egg yolks are a good food source of absorbable iron for infants even after the first 4-6 months when their fetal stores of iron becomes depleted and dietary iron is essential for continued health. In a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (June 2002), both breastfed and formula fed infants age 6 to 12 months who consumed egg yolks had improved iron status when compared with infants that did not have egg yolks. In fact, this study also found that antibody levels specific to egg yolk or egg white were no higher for the group that received the egg yolks. Other recent findings have shown that infants who consumed adequate amounts of vitamin D had an 80% lower risk of developing diabetes. Again, eggs are one of the few foods that are a natural dietary source of vitamin D.

U.S. Eggs F rom the time the egg is laid to the time the egg reaches your consumer, a very high standard of quality is maintained. ​ When eggs enter the processing facility, they are immediately placed on a conveyer belt for washing. Each egg is washed thoroughly with adequate amounts of detergent-sanitizer, and then rinsed. Dirt is removed without damaging the shells or altering the quality. After washing, eggs are also sanitized, graded, and packed. After the eggs are candled, which is the process of using light to help determine the quality of an egg, they are immediately moved to cooling facilities and ready for distribution. For retail sales, U.S. eggs are packaged for display and sale in cartons that each contain 12 eggs. ​ Shell and yolk color may vary. However, these variations have no effect on the quality, nutrition or cooking characteristics. The yolk color is influenced by the hen’s diet. Basic U.S. hen egg layer diets are formulated by using the highest quality yellow corn, soybean meal, alfalfa meal and vitamins. Hens fed these diets lay eggs with medium-yellow yolks. ​ Color of the shell is also not a measure of quality since color can vary with the breed of hens and the diet they are fed. Pigment in the outer layer of the shell will range from white to deep brown. Breeds with white feathers and white ear lobes lay white eggs. Breeds with red feathers and red ear lobes produce brown eggs. ​ Eggs are marketed based on grade, size and quality standards that are set and monitored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Control Appetite to Control Weight If there’s one concern that has been associated with women throughout history, it surely must be weight control. Unlike the hunter, women have been the gathers of society, concerned with preparing the food for the family. Whereas men historically performed hard labor in securing food, women have had lives that required less physical exertion. Accompanying this role, a women’s weight was controlled by hormones that were programmed to provide nourishment for suckling infants as well as stored energy to protect them from starvation when the hunter returned unsuccessful. ​ How does the modern woman meet this goal when food is plentiful and time is short? By using the same strategies that have brought us into this technological age, today’s woman can be successful in controlling her weight. The goal is to follow a plan that includes a routine intake of nutrient dense foods consumed throughout the day which is balanced with activities to provide an outlet for her energy intake. ​ Starting the day with a nutrient dense breakfast has been shown to help children focus and perform better in school. Similarly, studies have found breakfast is important for adult cognition and memory as well. Other studies have shown that eating a nutrient dense breakfast helps to reduce snacking on less nutritious and more calorie laden foods throughout the day. ​ Eggs, when eaten at the start of the day, provide a satisfying meal that can keep the stomach from emptying too quickly thereby providing a long period of satiety. ​ At 75 calories per large egg, eggs actually contribute few calories for all the nutrients that they provide. When teamed up with whole grains and vegetables they are a complete meal that is easily prepared, widely available and inexpensive making them a useful tool when planning a “women’s weight control” program.

Sodium Reduction Egg products are naturally low in sodium and possess multifunctional components for foaming, binding and emulsifying, and other functions. ​ Clean labels are dependent upon the ingredients. Egg products offer a clean label option and can help maintain product integrity and stability in a reduced sodium formulation. Egg products are capable of binding other ingredients, providing structure and stability and assisting with moisture migration while not conflicting with flavors of other ingredients. In fact, eggs have functional properties that do the job of many additives, yet naturally. Today's consumers, better educated and more label savvy, are avoiding additives and seeking more natural food alternatives. ​ Custom blended egg products that include carbohydrates, gum, starches, sugar, and low levels of salt are available to meet manufacturers' specifications and improve functional performance. ​ Egg products make so many food formulations great or better. The functional profile egg products provide is worth investigating to mine the possibilities for all the value they can provide to sodium reduced and other formulations. ​ For information about health and nutrition topics, visit the Egg Nutrition Center at www.enc-online.org

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Are brown eggs more nutritious than white eggs? A: The color of the egg’s shell is determined by the breed of the hen. Since many consumers prefer white eggs producers most often raise White Leghorn hens, which produce eggs with white shells. Consumers who live in the New England area often prefer brown shelled eggs, so egg producers there raise breeds such as the Rhode Island Red which produces brown shell eggs. The color of the shell has nothing to do with egg quality, flavor, or nutritional value, only the breed of hen laying the eggs. However, brown shell eggs are usually slightly higher in price than white eggs because the brown shell producing hens are larger birds and require more feed for the eggs produced. ​ Q: Are raw eggs safe to eat? ​ A: Raw eggs or any products containing raw eggs should not be eaten. Even though the likelihood that an egg might contain bacteria is very small, the only way to ensure that any bacteria may be present is killed is to properly cook the egg. According to the FDA Food Code, eggs for immediate consumption can be cooked to 145°F for 15 seconds. If the eggs are to be used in a recipe with other food items, dilute the eggs with liquid or other ingredients, such as milk or sugar (at least ¼ cup liquid or sugar per egg as in custard) and cook the egg mixture to 160°F, which will destroy harmful bacteria in a few seconds. Adequate cooking brings eggs and other foods to a temperature high enough to destroy bacteria that might be present. If a recipe calls for raw eggs, use pasteurized shell eggs or pasteurized egg products. ​ ​ ​ Q: Can I eat eggs if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding? ​ A: Eggs are as safe to eat during pregnancy or nursing as any other time of life – provided they are handled properly and cooked adequately. In fact, according to the Egg Nutrition Center, essential nutrients within the egg can support a healthy pregnancy, growth and development of children, and muscle mass and function during aging. Eggs are an excellent source of choline, which plays an essential role in fetal and infant brain development, and adequate choline during pregnancy may help prevent neural tube birth defects. For other egg nutrition questions, visit the Egg Nutrition Center (www.eggnutritioncenter.org ). ​ Q: What are organic and free-range eggs and do they differ nutritionally? A: Organic eggs are eggs produced by hens fed “organic” feeds grown without pesticides, chemical or commercial fertilizers. In addition, there are no pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides added to the feed. There are no known nutritional differences between organic eggs and regular eggs. Free-range eggs are produced by hens raised outdoors or with daily access to the outdoors. The hens are free to run around, but in the event of bad weather the hens are kept inside. True free-range eggs are only available on a seasonal basis in the United States. The term free-range can also refer to eggs produced by hens raised inside on an open floor rather than in cages. Free range eggs do not differ from regular eggs in terms of nutritional value or cholesterol level; however, they are more expensive due to production costs. Q: Where are the vitamins and minerals located in the egg? A: The yolk or yellow portion of the egg contains a higher proportion of the egg’s vitamins and minerals than the white. Please refer to the chart (right) for the list of nutrients contained in one egg. ​ Q: Where can I learn more about egg nutrition? ​ A: Eggs are a natural source of high-quality protein and a number of other nutrients – at only about 70 calories per egg. Nutrition research suggests eggs can play a role in weight management, muscle strength, healthy pregnancy, brain function, eye health and more. For more information on all egg nutrition questions, visit the Egg Nutrition Center ( www.eggnutritioncenter.org ). ​ ​ Q: What is the best temperature to cook an egg? A: Adequate cooking brings eggs to a temperature high enough to destroy bacteria that might be present in the egg yolk or egg white. Egg white coagulates at 144-149° F, yolk coagulates at 149-158° F, and whole eggs coagulate at 144-158° F. A food thermometer is an invaluable tool to quickly check for the right temperature. ​ ​ Q: What should I do with leftovers containing eggs? ​ A: Promptly after serving, refrigerate any leftovers containing eggs. Thoroughly reheat leftovers and eat within two to three days. Without tasting them, discard any egg-containing leftovers that have been refrigerated more than three days. ​ A good resource to help manage leftovers is the USDA FoodKeeper app. This application provides food storage information and enables alerts to be set up to contact you before food spoils. ​ Q: How long are hard-cooked eggs safe to eat? Why do hard-cooked eggs spoil faster than fresh eggs? A: Hard-cooked eggs should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking and used within one week. Shell eggs have a protective coating that is washed away when they are hard-cooked. This leaves the pores in the shell open for bacteria to enter. ​ Q: What exactly is cross-contamination and what should I do about it? ​ A: Bacteria can spread from people to food, or from one food or piece of equipment to another. This is called cross-contamination. To help prevent cross-contamination, it’s important to separate foods—especially raw meat, seafood, eggs, and poultry—from other foods. Also wash hands, utensils and surfaces with warm, soapy water before and after handling raw eggs. ​ Q: Is it safe to use eggs that have cracks? A: Never purchase cracked eggs, because bacteria can enter eggs through cracks in the shell. If eggs crack on the way home, break them into a clean container, cover it tightly, keep refrigerated, and use within two days. When preparing, be sure to cook eggs thoroughly, with both the white and yolk firm. ​ ​ Nutrient Content of One Large Egg Whole, Raw, Fresh ​ Nutrient ​ Calories Total Fat (g) Saturated Fat (g) Trans Fat (g) Cholesterol (mg) Sodium (mg) Carbohydrate (g) Protein (g) Vitamin A (IU) Vitamin D (mg) Calcium (mg) Thiamine Vitamin B6 (mg) Vitamin C (mg) Iron (mg) Riboflavin (mg) Folate (mcg) Vitamin B12 (mcg) Zinc (mg) Phosphorus (mg) Lutein & Zeaxanthin (mcg) Choline (mg) ​ ​ ​ U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2007. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release #20. Nutrient Data Laboratory (www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp) USDA Database for the Choline Content of Common Foods Differences in nutrient levels between egg white, egg yolk and whole egg are due to sampling procedure ​ *Sadler, Strain and Caballero (1999) Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition. San Diego, Academic Press ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ Whole Egg ​ 72 5 1.5 0.05* 212 70 0.4 6.3 244 18 27 0.03 0.07 0 0.09 0.24 24 0.65 0.56 96 166 125 ​ ​ ​ White ​ 16 0.06 0 0 0 55 0.2 3.6 0 0 2 0 0 0 0.03 0.15 1 0.03 0.01 5 0 1.1 ​ Yolk ​ 54 4.5 1.6 0.05* 210 8 0.6 2.7 245 18 22 0.03 0.06 0 0.46 0.09 25 0.33 0.39 66 186 113.3

Converting Shell Eggs to Egg Products? Thinking about converting from shell eggs to liquid or dried eggs? ​ Converting from shell eggs to liquid or dried eggs in your formulas is really quite easy and won’t affect your bowl cost. It’s simply a weight for weight substitution. ​ Other conversion benefits: Saves time, labor and waste Reduces cold storage space needed Increases shelf life – simplifies inventory tracking Streamlines ingredient preparation Provides batch-to-batch consistency Improves long-term product quality ​ ​ Watch as the baking experts at AIB International show you just how easy it is to adjust your formula to use liquid or dried eggs. Refer one of the worksheets to get started. Converting from Shell Eggs to Liquid Eggs Downloadable SHELL eggs to LIQUID eggs worksheets ​ SHELL WHOLE EGGS TO LIQUID WHOLE EGGS ​ ​ ​ ​ SHELL EGG WHITES TO LIQUID EGG WHITES ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ SHELL EGG YOLKS TO LIQUID EGG YOLKS ​ Converting from Liquid Eggs to Dried Eggs Downloadable LIQUID eggs to DRIED eggs worksheets ​ LIQUID WHOLE EGGS TO DRIED WHOLE EGGS ​ ​ ​ ​ LIQUID EGG WHITES TO DRY EGG WHITES ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ LIQUID EGG YOLKS TO DRIED EGG YOLKS ​

Eggs Across The Lifespan Eggs contain a number of nutrients that are essential throughout the lifespan: ​ High-quality protein contains building blocks needed to support healthy bones and muscles. Research suggests that exercise, along with optimal protein intake, can slow the effects of sarcopenia or chronic age-related muscle loss. Choline is essential for normal liver function and brain health. It is especially important during pregnancy to support normal fetal growth and development, and most pregnant women do not consume adequate amounts of choline. Consuming eggs during pregnancy is one solution to choline consumption issues. Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants that are believed to reduce the risk of developing cataracts and slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration, a disease that develops with age.