FSIS regulates the importation of egg products,
which must originate in countries and establishments eligible
to export to the United States. Currently, Canada is the only
establishment eligible to export egg products to the United
States.
Animal disease restrictions may be applied
to some egg products by the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS). |
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FSIS also verifies that shell eggs packed for the
consumer are labeled "Keep Refrigerated"
and are transported under refrigeration at temperatures no greater
that 45 degrees F. Shell eggs may be imported from any country,
provided there are no animal disease restrictions applied by APHIS.
Eggs and egg products are an important source of
the Nation's total supply of food, and are used
in food in various forms. They are consumed throughout the Nation
and the major portion thereof moves in interstate or foreign commerce.
It is essential, in the public interest, that the health and welfare
of consumers be protected by the adoption of measures prescribed
herein for assuring that eggs and egg products distributed to them
and used in products consumed by them are wholesome, otherwise not
adulterated, and properly labeled and packaged.
Lack of effective regulation for the handling
or disposition of unwholesome, otherwise adulterated,
or improperly labeled or packaged egg products and certain qualities
of eggs is injurious to the public welfare and destroys markets
for wholesome, not adulterated, and properly labeled and packaged
eggs and egg products and results in sundry losses
to producers and processors, as well as injury to consumers.
Unwholesome, otherwise adulterated, or improperly
labeled or packaged products can be sold at lower prices and compete
unfairly with the wholesome, not adulterated, and properly labeled
and packaged products, to the detriment of consumers and the public
generally. It is hereby found that all egg products and the qualities
of eggs which are regulated under this interstate or foreign commerce,
or substantially affect such commerce, and that regulation by the
Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, and cooperation by the States and other
jurisdictions, as contemplated by this chapter, are appropriate
to prevent and eliminate burdens upon such commerce, to effectively
regulate such commerce, and to protect the health and welfare of
consumers.
