This business guide explains the rules when selling hen eggs directly to the final consumer or a local retailer (not via a packing centre where different rules will apply).

It should be read along with business guide “Food Hygiene: regulations and responsibilities explained” available at: https://www.nfuonline.com/member-resources/food-hygiene-regulations-and-responsibilities-explained/.

The rules that you need to follow depend on the number of hens you have and where you sell the eggs.

Eggs sold directly to the consumer from a farm, by door-to-door delivery, or from a market or boot sale do not need to be weight graded or stamped but must be labelled with a best-before date, a statement that the eggs should be refrigerated after purchase, and in some circumstances the production site’s name and address or individual code.

A summary table of requirements is provided at the end of this guide.