Most eggs are bought and sold as shell eggs (eggs that are still in the shell). USDA has established minimum standards of quality for all eggs that move in consumer channels.

There are mandatory procedures for the disposition of certain eggs that do not meet these quality standards.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Poultry and Egg Section employees monitor how these eggs are handled under the Shell Egg Surveillance Program at packers and processors that are visited on a quarterly basis each fiscal year.

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