Once eggs are collected from the farm, they are delivered to a grading station, where they go through several steps to check their quality, freshness, and cleanliness. The eggs are washed, candled, weighed, and sorted by size before they are packaged and sent to grocery stores.
How Are Eggs Washed?
Before eggs are graded, they are carefully washed to clean the outside of the shell. The washing process removes dirt, debris, and other contaminants that may be present on the shell. After washing, the eggs are ready for further inspection.
What Is Candling?
During candling, eggs pass over a strong light that allows graders to look inside the shell. This process helps identify imperfections, check the condition of the egg white, and make sure the yolk is well-centred.
For a more in-depth look at how eggs are graded in Ontario, watch Ontario egg farmer Dianne explain the grading process in the video below.