John Myers
1-DE-2836193? If there is such an imprint on the purchased chicken eggs, you will receive comprehensive information about the food – provided you know how to interpret the numbers and letters. With our tips, you decode the code.
That’s on the egg
In the case of an egg, it does not matter where it comes from and under what conditions it was laid by the hen. Many consumers value both good quality and animal welfare. You can use the stamps on the eggs to make sure that they meet your requirements. While only the identification number of the packing center is on the box, the code on the egg provides information about the producer. The numbers and letters in our fictitious example “1-DE-2836193” mean the following:
- The first number on the egg stands for the husbandry type: 0 = organic husbandry, 1 = free-range husbandry, 2 = barn husbandry, 3 = cage husbandry.
- The two letters give information about the country of origin: DE = Germany.
- In the case of German eggs, the first two digits of the last row of numbers stand for the federal state from which they come. 09 means: from Bavaria.
- The laying farm can be identified with the following four-digit farm number.
- The last digit is the stable number.
That’s not on the egg: expiry date and storage
The numbers are therefore not a date on the eggs, from which you can infer the laying time or the shelf life. You can find this information on the packaging. If you no longer have these to hand, our cooking expert explains how you can recognize rotten eggs. Basically, raw eggs will keep for about four weeks, the last two weeks they should be refrigerated. Boiled eggs with well-cooked yolks can also be kept refrigerated for up to four weeks. However, you should neither prick nor deter the eggs. It is better to eat soft eggs in a timely manner. Our tips reveal how long your eggs should boil to get the desired consistency, for example for our egg stew.
The same goes for Easter eggs
The labeling requirement does not apply to brightly colored eggs. Since there is no information on the egg here, the origin cannot be determined. Only the best before date, the supplier, and the quantity have to be stated on the packaging. For eggs sold loose at the supermarket counter or at the weekly market, a sign provides information about the shelf life. If you want to be on the safe side, dye your eggs yourself. Our questions and answers will tell you what else you can do with eggs and things worth knowing about eggs.
