Meat Science

PACKAGING OF SHELL EGGS

• Nature has given the egg a natural package - the shell.
• Despite its relative strength, the egg is an extremely fragile product and even with the best handling methods, serious losses can result from shell damage.
• Economical marketing generally requires that eggs be protected by the adoption of specialized packaging and handling procedures.

Functions of packaging

• Packaging is an important component in delivering quality eggs to buyers.
• It embraces both the art and science of preparing products for storage, transport and eventually sale.
• Packaging protects the eggs from:
  • micro-organisms, such as bacteria;
  • natural predators;
  • loss of moisture;
  • tainting;
  • temperatures that cause deterioration; and
  • possible crushing while being handled, stored or transported.
• Proper handling and storage, help control moisture loss, but appropriate packaging may also help prevent it.
• Eggs also need to breathe, hence the packaging material used must allow for the entrance of oxygen.
• The material used must be clean and odourless so as to prevent possible contamination and tainting.
• Authentic egg packaging materials can be reused, but careful attention must be paid to possible damage, odours and cleanliness.
• The packaging must be made to withstand handling, storage and transport methods of the most diverse kind and to protect the eggs against temperatures that cause deterioration and humidity.
• Finally, consumers like to see what they are buying, especially if it concerns fresh produce.
• An egg package should be designed so that the customers not only recognize the product as such, but can also see the eggs they are buying.
• Many factors must be taken into consideration for packaging eggs. It is important to obtain information regarding the necessary requirements for a particular market, such as:
• quality maintenance;
• storage facilities;
• of transport;
• to be travelled;
• climatic conditions;
• time involved; and
• costs.