Eggs past their ‘sell by’ date may be headed to food shelves

What does a “sell by” or “best if used by” date really mean?

Those are essentially freshness measures and do not mean eating food beyond its quality assurance date will harm you, says Rep. Andrew Myers (R-Tonka Bay).

He sponsors HF3579, which would permit eggs past their quality assurance date to be donated to and distributed by charitable food assistance programs.

“Food shelves and hunger-relief organizations face increasing demand and a limited supply of protein-rich foods,” he said. “And currently safe, nutritious eggs are being discarded due to date labeling restrictions here in Minnesota.”

The House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee approved the bill Monday on a voice vote. Its next stop is the House Floor.

Under current law, eggs may not be sold or donated after their quality assurance date, but the bill would allow a food shelf donation if the eggs:

• are in their original packaging;
• were previously candled and graded;
• are continuously refrigerated;
• are distributed to the end consumer prior to 30 days past the original quality assurance date; and
• have a new label that includes the name of the distributor, a “distribute by” date, and the statement: “Donated Eggs - Not for Resale.”

One in five Minnesotans don’t have access to the food they need, said Jessica Francis, executive director of Open Cupboard.

Rep. Andrew Myers

Eggs are one of the most versatile sources of protein, she said, adding they are chronically in short supply at food shelves.

“It’s a win for retailers and food shelves, a win for the environment, a win for Minnesotans accessing food through our state’s hunger-relief system, and ultimately a win for Minnesota.”

Committee Co-Chair Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul) has concerns about the bill, including ensuring food safety for the donated eggs.

Levi Muhl, assistant director of dairy, meat, poultry, and egg inspections at the Department of Agriculture, is satisfied with the labeling and refrigeration requirements in the bill.

“As long as those eggs are refrigerated, they will last many weeks past that quality assurance date for food safety,” he said.