If you are producing eggs in Queensland, and selling or supplying them to others, then you must hold an accreditation with Safe Food Production Queensland (Safe Food). ‘Supply’ includes the act of giving eggs away for free.
It doesn’t matter how many poultry birds or eggs you have, an accreditation with Safe Food is still required.
Why is an accreditation needed to supply eggs?
Eggs are classified as a high-risk food by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), the international governing body that develops international food standards. Chapter 4 of Australia’s Food Standards Code recognises these internationally agreed Codex guidelines.
Eggs are considered a high-risk food because of the porous nature of the eggshell. This means that harmful pathogens found in the environment, like Salmonella, can infect an egg and go on to make people sick if not handled or cooked properly. Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to foodborne illness from eggs.
For this reason, all eggs produced and supplied in Queensland must come from an accredited supplier.
This includes people who produce eggs and are:
- Selling/ bartering eggs on Facebook Marketplace
- Selling eggs at farmers markets
- Selling eggs at their farm gate
- Giving eggs away to friends, family, and neighbours from backyard chickens
- Schools giving eggs away to staff, students and others from on-site poultry
- Packing eggs on behalf of someone else (e.g. re-packing large catering packs into dozen egg cartons and selling them).
Some people may not be aware of the legislation and be unknowingly breaking the law. It is a serious food safety offence of the Food Production (Safety) Act 2000 to produce and supply eggs without an accreditation and fines can apply. If you are doing any of the activities above without an accreditation, you need to apply for accreditation.
APPLY FOR ACCREDITATION
Other requirements to sell eggs in Queensland
If you are only selling eggs in Queensland, without producing the eggs yourself or repacking them on behalf of others, then you will not require an accreditation with Safe Food, but still have obligations under Australia’s Food Standards Code.
Specifically, prohibiting the sale of cracked and dirty eggs and ensuring all eggs are stamped with a unique identifier.
Egg stamping is a requirement in Queensland, even for eggs that come from interstate. Egg stamping ensures that each egg can be traced through the supply chain to the farm from which it came. This supports Queensland Health and Safe Food in investigating serious foodborne illness outbreaks that may cause hospitalisations.
If you are planning on starting an egg farm, make sure you are aware of all the requirements from other government departments before you commence. There are factors such as biosecurity, environment and animal welfare that you will need to comply with.
As a consumer, if you see unstamped, cracked or dirty eggs for sale in Queensland, report it to our office.
If you are still unsure if you require an accreditation, please contact Safe Food for advice.
Resources for accreditation holders: Is it legal to sell eggs in Queensland flyer