Studying the compliance of the labelling in different types of farm fresh eggs for human consumption marketed in Gran Canaria (Spain) – An egg labelling proposition for those produced in Canary Islands

Abstract

A literature review of the European and Spanish legislation has been made related to the labelling and packaging of eggs for human consumption to identify if there are any deficiencies in the current regulations, and to verify the compliance of the information given by the labelling in the marketed eggs in Gran Canaria (Spain). To this end, eighteen eggs labels were collected directly from commercial establishments in a way that ensured representation of all different production systems (furnished cages, deep litter, free-range and organic), as well as the hen and quail species. The study showed a high fulfilment of the mandatory parameters in hen eggs, with a few flaws in the storage recommendations and the egg classification of some of the free-range eggs. Likewise, many of the optional parameters were met in all the production systems noted. In quail eggs, important deficiencies were found regarding the mandatory information showed in their labels; these were unjustified omissions from a legal point of view. Finally, a proposal for implementing a labelling guide for the fresh eggs produced and marketed in Canary Islands is made that fulfils the current legislation and the specific needs in the marketing of these products.