1     
REGULATION OF SHELL EGG PRODUCERS

2     
2019 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Marc K. Roberts

5     
Senate Sponsor: Ronald Winterton

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies provisions related to eggs.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     defines terms;
13          ▸     provides an exemption from state regulation for small producers;
14          ▸     addresses exceptions;
15          ▸     addresses packaging; and
16          ▸     makes technical changes.
17     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18          None
19     Other Special Clauses:
20          None
21     Utah Code Sections Affected:
22     AMENDS:
23          4-4-103, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 345
24     ENACTS:
25          4-4-107, Utah Code Annotated 1953
26          4-4-108, Utah Code Annotated 1953
27     

28     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

29          Section 1. Section 4-4-103 is amended to read:
30          4-4-103. Definitions.
31          As used in this chapter:
32          (1) "Addled" or "white rot" means putrid or rotten.
33          (2) "Adherent yolk" means the yolk has settled to one side and become fastened to the
34     shell.
35          (3) "Albumen" means the white of an egg.
36          (4) "Black rot" means the egg has deteriorated to such an extent that the whole interior
37     presents a blackened appearance.
38          (5) "Black spot" means mold or bacteria have developed in isolated areas inside the
39     shell.
40          (6) "Blood ring" means bacteria have developed to such an extent that blood is formed.
41          (7) "Candling" means the act of determining the condition of an egg by holding it
42     before a strong light in such a way that the light shines through the egg and reveals the egg's
43     contents.
44          (8) "Moldy" means mold spores have formed within the shell.
45          (9) "Shell egg" means an egg in the shell as distinguished from a dried or powdered
46     egg.
47          (10) "Small producer" means a producer of shell eggs:
48          (a) having less than 3,000 layers;
49          (b) selling only to an ultimate consumer; and
50          (c) who is exempt from 21 C.F.R. Chapter 1, Part 118, Production, Storage, and
51     Transportation of Shell Eggs.
52          (11) "Ultimate consumer" means a household consumer, restaurant, institution, or any
53     other person who has purchased or received shell eggs for consumption.
54          Section 2. Section 4-4-107 is enacted to read:
55          4-4-107. Exemptions from regulation.

56          (1) Except as provided in this section, a small producer and the shell eggs produced by
57     a small producer is exempt from regulation by the department.
58          (2) The Department of Health has the authority to investigate foodborne illness.
59          (3) The department may assist, consult, or inspect shell eggs when requested by a small
60     producer.
61          (4) Nothing in this section affects the authority of the Department of Health or the
62     department to certify, license, regulate, or inspect food or food products that are not exempt
63     from certification, licensing regulation, or inspection under this section.
64          (5) The department may make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
65     Administrative Rulemaking Act, to govern the temperature, cleaning, and sanitization of shell
66     eggs under this chapter that are sold by a small producer to a restaurant.
67          (6) Eggs sold by a small producer pursuant to this chapter are exempt from the
68     restricted egg tolerances for United States Consumer Grade B as specified in the United States
69     Standards, Grades, and Weight Classes for Shell Eggs, AMS 56.200 et seq., administered by
70     the Agricultural Marketing Service of United States Agriculture Department.
71          Section 3. Section 4-4-108 is enacted to read:
72          4-4-108. Packaging for small producer.
73          (1) A small producer shall package the small producer's eggs in clean packaging that
74     bears a label with the following information:
75          (a) the common name of the food, "eggs";
76          (b) the quantity or number of eggs;
77          (c) the name and address of the small producer;
78          (d) the statement "Keep Refrigerated"; and
79          (e) the statement "SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS: To prevent illness from
80     bacteria: Keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing
81     eggs thoroughly."
82          (2) A small producer may state a "pull date" or "best by" date. The date may be hand

83     written on the end of the packaging or in a conspicuous location that is clearly discernible. A
84     "pull date" shall first show the month then the day of the month. A recommended date is 30
85     days after production, but the date may not exceed 45 days after production.
86          (3) If the eggs of a small producer are ungraded and not weighed, the packaging for the
87     eggs may not be labeled with a grade or size.