Know-how
Frequently asked questions
Have questions about eggs? Here are the answers to the questions we’re asked most often.
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The hen
How do eggs get organic certification?
Eggs sold as “organic” must meet specific standards established under Canada’s organic certification system and be certified by an accredited organization. In Canada, all organic eggs come from free-range hens that are fed certified organic feed.
How can you tell if an egg is fresh?
Place the egg in a bowl of water. If it sinks to the bottom, it’s fresh; if it floats, it’s older. This happens because moisture gradually evaporates from the egg over time, increasing the amount of air in its air cell.
Is it possible to find a chick inside an egg bought at the grocery store?
No. Eggs bought at the grocery store have never been fertilized, and laying hens are never housed with roosters. So you can rest assured you’ll never find a chick in an egg.
Are white eggs different from brown eggs?
Shell colour depends on the hen’s breed. White-feathered hens generally lay white eggs, and brown-feathered hens lay brown eggs. Nutritionally, there’s no difference between the two, unless the hen’s feed has been enhanced to produce specialty eggs.
Are eggs washed?
Yes. Before being shipped to grocery stores, all eggs pass through a grading facility. There, they are washed in a sanitizing solution and gently scrubbed with rotating brushes to remove dirt and bacteria from the shell. There is no need to wash them again at home.
Why do some eggs display a code?
In some parts of Canada, a code is printed directly on the eggshell. It is part of a traceability system that provides information such as the farm of origin, where the egg was graded and its expiry date.
Why does egg yolk colour vary so much?
Yolk colour can naturally vary depending on what hens eat, without affecting the egg’s quality or freshness. For example, wheat tends to produce paler yolks, while corn and alfalfa can give them a richer yellow colour.
And now at Lovo, for those who prefer a deeper orange yolk, we offer Dark Yolk Free-Range Eggs from hens fed with marigold flower extracts — bringing even more colour to your favourite dishes!
Why are there eggs of different sizes?
The main factor is the hen’s age. Younger hens tend to lay smaller eggs, while older hens generally lay larger ones. Eggs are then graded by weight rather than by diameter or shape. Most eggs found in grocery stores are Large or X-Large.
What’s the difference between the many types of eggs sold at the grocery store?
Canadian egg farmers, including Lovo farmers, offer a wide variety of choices to suit every taste and need. All eggs are produced according to the same high standards. No matter which type you choose, your egg will be delicious and nutritious.
- Regular (white) eggs come from hens housed in conventional or enriched housing systems.
- Specialty eggs offer specific characteristics related to the type of hen, their diet or their housing system, such as brown, omega-3 enriched, organic, free-run or free-range eggs.
What is a Grade A egg?
A Grade A egg is the type of egg you typically find at the grocery store. To be graded Canada A, an egg must meet precise interior and exterior quality criteria.
More specifically, a Grade A egg must have:
- A clean, intact shell with no cracks.
- A well-centred yolk with an unbroken membrane.
- A firm white (albumen) that helps keep the yolk centred.
- A small air cell, a sign of freshness.
Canada A eggs are also washed, candled, weighed and sized before being packed.
What affects the thickness of an egg’s shell?
As a hen gets older, she lays larger eggs. Because the amount of calcium used to form the shell does not increase at the same rate, the shell is spread over a larger surface area. As a result, eggshells tend to become thinner as hens age.
Is it healthier to eat only the egg white?
No, quite the opposite. Egg whites are about 90% water and contain only part of the egg’s protein. By eating only the white, you miss out on everything the yolk has to offer, including the rest of the protein, unsaturated fats such as omega-3s, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients.
Do eggs contain steroids or hormones?
No. Canadian eggs never contain steroids or hormones. Farmers comply with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Feeds Regulations, which prohibit the use of added steroids and hormones in Canada.
Is it true that eggs are high in cholesterol?
Decades of research confirm that dietary cholesterol, the kind found in food, has no effect on blood cholesterol levels. It doesn’t increase the risk of heart disease either. You can enjoy eggs every day as part of a varied, balanced diet.
Do eggs contain gluten?
No. Eggs are naturally gluten-free. Any gluten present in a hen’s feed is broken down during digestion and does not end up in the egg. Pickled eggs made with seasoned vinegar are also gluten-free.
When can babies start eating eggs?
Health Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada and the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada recommend introducing whole eggs at around six months of age. Eggs can also be introduced once your baby is ready to start eating solid foods. Research shows that early introduction may help reduce the risk of developing an egg allergy.
What’s the nutritional value of an egg?
One Large egg contains 6.5 grams of protein and 14 important nutrients, including vitamins A, D and E, folate, iron and zinc. Because it contains all nine essential amino acids, the egg is considered as one of the few foods that make up a complete source of protein.
How many dozens of eggs do Canadian egg farmers produce each year?
Each year, Canadian egg farmers produce an average of 900 million dozen eggs. Our farming families alone produce 2 billion eggs, including conventional, free-run, organic, specialty and processed eggs.
How do eggs get to the grocery store?
After leaving the farm, eggs are sent to a grading facility, where they are washed, graded and packed. They’re then shipped to grocery stores in refrigerated trucks. As soon as they arrive in store, they’re placed in a refrigerated warehouse or display case to preserve their freshness. Across Canada, eggs make it from farm to store in less than a week.
How is new technology used in barns?
Today’s technology makes it possible to continuously monitor key indicators such as water and feed consumption, temperature, air quality and overall barn conditions. This information helps farmers provide an environment that is comfortable and suited to the hens’ needs.
Technology, however, does not replace people. Every day, farmers, their families and employees make observation rounds to check on the birds and make sure the equipment and facilities are working properly.
Are egg farms inspected?
Yes, absolutely. The Egg Quality Assuranceᵀᴹ (EQA®) program provides a rigorous framework to ensure egg safety and hen welfare across Canada. Farms must meet precise requirements and undergo regular audits to demonstrate their compliance. EQA® certification reflects farmers’ commitment to producing quality eggs according to recognized standards consumers can trust.
What standards must Canadian egg farmers follow?
Across Canada, egg farmers must comply with rigorous standards covering hen welfare as well as egg safety and quality. Among other things, they must comply with the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pullets and Laying Hens and the requirements of the Egg Quality Assuranceᵀᴹ (EQA®) program.
What is an egg grading facility?
It’s where eggs are washed, candled, weighed, graded and packed. Grading facilities are registered with, and inspected by, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Are there egg farmers in every province?
Yes. Canadian eggs are produced by more than 1,000 farming families across every province, as well as in the Northwest Territories. Wherever you buy your eggs, chances are they were produced close to home.
How long do vinegar-pickled eggs keep?
The best-before date and storage conditions before opening are indicated on the packaging.
Once the jar is opened and kept in a fridge at 4°C, pickled eggs will keep for about a month. The golden rule: no fingers in the jar! Always use clean, dry utensils to serve them, or their shelf life will suffer. That’s why it’s difficult to guarantee a precise date once the jar has been opened.
For more food storage tips, visit the Health Canada website.
How should eggs be prepared and cooked?
Health Canada recommends washing your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds, before and after handling eggs.
Raw eggs can contain bacteria. It’s best to cook eggs, and egg-based dishes, to at least 74°C (165°F). Eating raw or undercooked eggs poses a risk for young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
For no-cook recipes (icing, eggnog, Caesar dressing), it’s best to choose pasteurized eggs.
Can eggs be frozen?
Yes. Crack the shell, remove it, then place the egg in an airtight container before freezing. If you are freezing yolks on their own, add a small pinch of sugar or salt to help prevent them from becoming gelatinous.
Where can I find your eggs?
Our eggs are distributed across the country, mainly in Quebec, Manitoba and the Atlantic provinces. Each region has its own specifics, but most major grocery chains carry our products.
Why are eggs kept in the refrigerator?
In Canada (unlike in countries such as France), eggs are washed, inspected and graded before reaching store shelves. Washing removes the shell’s natural protective coating, which means the eggs must then be refrigerated to maintain freshness. A low, constant temperature limits moisture loss through the shell’s pores and keeps eggs fresh until the expiry date shown on the packaging.
What does the expiry date mean?
The expiry date indicates the period during which a properly stored egg retains its Grade A qualities. It falls 59 days after the packing date.
What’s the best way to prepare an egg?
The cooking method affects an egg’s nutritional value. To keep things simple and nutritious, choose methods that do not require added fat, such as hard-boiling, poaching or soft-boiling.
How many eggs does a hen lay each day?
On average, a hen lays close to one egg per day.
How do egg farmers take care of their hens?
Animal welfare is a priority for Canadian egg farmers. Their practices are governed by a national Code of Practice developed by the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), an organization that brings together experts, farmers, veterinarians, researchers and representatives of the public.
Together, they develop recognized standards for animal care and handling, put animal welfare assessment programs in place, and foster open, science-based dialogue. This approach helps ensure that hens are raised in conditions suited to their needs while strengthening consumer confidence.
Are there different types of housing for hens?
Yes. Canadian egg farmers use a variety of housing systems. Each provides hens with a clean environment, fresh food and water, and protection from predators. Given how much Canada’s climate can vary, most barns are climate-controlled, which protects hens from harsh weather conditions.
Are laying hens treated with antibiotics?
No. In Canada, laying hens are not treated with antibiotics, and their eggs contain neither steroids nor hormones. Farmers comply with feed standards set by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
What do laying hens eat?
Our farmers work with nutrition specialists to provide a balanced diet made up of grains, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. Hens also have constant access to fresh water. A balanced diet is essential to their health and to the quality of the eggs they produce. Across the country, farmers comply with Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulations.
What’s the difference between free-run eggs and free-range eggs?
Free-run eggs and free-range eggs both come from farms where hens have a great deal of freedom of movement inside the barn. The main difference lies in outdoor access: free-range hens can go outside when weather conditions allow.
At our Lovo farms in Quebec, free-range eggs come from organic production and carry the certifications that go with it.
What’s the difference between a hen and a chicken?
A laying hen is not the same as a broiler chicken. Although both are poultry, they come from different genetic lines. Broiler chickens are bred for meat production, while laying hens are bred to produce eggs. Each has been selectively bred for a specific purpose.
Still have a question?
Our team will be happy to help.