SF3835

Purpose

The bill would allow eggs that are past their quality assurance date to be donated to charitable food assistance programs, instead of being discarded, as long as specific safety, labeling, and handling conditions are met. It keeps existing grading and storage requirements in place.

Main provisions

• Quality assurance date definition

  • Adds a definition of “quality assurance date” to Minnesota Statutes: the date after which the product may spoil, wiltage, drying, or otherwise lose palatability or nutrition.

• Retail egg dating, grading, and labeling

  • All eggs sold or offered for sale must be candled and graded and clearly labeled according to Minnesota consumer grades.
  • Eggs may not be sold as ungraded or by a name that hides their grade.

• Temperature and grade retention

  • Eggs in retailers’ possession must be stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) or colder.
  • Grade AA eggs held 31 days past the coded pack date; Grade A eggs held 46 days past the coded pack date lose their grade and must be removed from sale.

• Donating eggs past the quality assurance date

  • Eggs that are past their quality assurance date may be donated to and distributed by charitable food assistance programs if they meet all of the following: 1) kept in their original packaging; 2) previously candled and graded; 3) continuously refrigerated; 4) distributed to the end consumer within 30 days of the original quality assurance date; 5) packaged with a label that includes the program’s name, a “distribute by” date of no more than 30 days past the original QA date, and the statement “Donated Eggs Not for Resale.”

Significance and changes to law

• Creates a safe, formal process to donate eggs that are near or past the QA date, reducing waste while preserving food safety standards.
• Reinforces grading, labeling, and temperature controls to protect consumers, while allowing food banks and similar programs to receive eggs that still meet packaging and handling requirements.
• Introduces a clear label and distribution timeline to ensure visibility and safety for end users.

Implementation considerations

• Retailers would need to track quality assurance dates and ensure donated eggs meet all listed conditions.
• Charitable programs would receive eggs with explicit labeling and a defined distribution window to maintain safety.

Relevant terms - quality assurance date - candled and graded - Grade AA - Grade A - coded pack date - end consumer - charitable food assistance programs - donated eggs - Not for Resale - distribute by date - continuously refrigerated - original packaging - 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius)