HF3579

Purpose

The bill updates Minnesota law to allow eggs that are past their quality assurance date to be donated to charitable food programs, rather than wasted. It sets conditions to help ensure the eggs remain safe and properly labeled when donated.

Main provisions

• Quality assurance date defined: The bill adds a definition for “quality assurance date,” meaning a date after which spoilage, wilting, drying, or other natural changes may cause the product to lose palatability or nutritive properties.
• Retail egg handling and labeling: All eggs sold at retail must be candled, graded, and clearly labeled according to Minnesota consumer grades. Eggs cannot be sold or offered for sale as ungraded.
• Temperature requirement: Eggs in retailer possession must be kept at a temperature not exceeding 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 Celsius).
• Grading expiration: Grade AA eggs held 31 days past the coded pack date, or Grade A eggs held 46 days past the coded pack date, lose their grades and must be removed from sale.
• Donated eggs exception: Eggs that are past their quality assurance date may be donated to and distributed by charitable food assistance programs, under conditions.
• Conditions for donated eggs:
  • Eggs must be in their original packaging.
  • Eggs must have been candled and graded previously.
  • Eggs must be continuously refrigerated.
  • Eggs must be distributed to the end consumer before 30 days past the original quality assurance date.
  • Packaging must include a label with the program name, a “distribute by” date no more than 30 days past the original quality assurance date, and the statement “Donated Eggs Not for Resale.”

What this changes in practice

• Creates an official pathway to reuse eggs that would otherwise be discarded, helping charitable programs supply eggs while maintaining safety and traceability.
• Introduces a clear set of requirements for donated eggs (packaging, labeling, temperature, and timing relative to the QA date) to protect consumers and clarify responsibilities for retailers and programs.

Safety, labeling, and compliance considerations

• Eggs donated under this bill must have already been candled and graded, and kept refrigerated until distribution.
• The “Donated Eggs Not for Resale” label helps prevent misuse or resale of donated eggs.
• Stores must track and manage eggs relative to the quality assurance date and coded pack date to determine eligibility for donation.

Significant changes to existing law

• Adds a new Subdivision 12 to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 29.21, defining the quality assurance date.
• Amends section 29.26 to set new requirements for eggs in possession of retailers, including the donation pathway for eggs past the QA date and the specific handling, labeling, and timing rules.

Beneficiaries and intended impact

• Charitable food assistance programs gain a safe, regulated source of eggs that would have been wasted.
• Retailers gain a defined process for donating eggs while maintaining food safety and compliance with labeling rules.
• Consumers benefit from continued access to donated eggs through programs without compromising safety or labeling.

Relevant Terms - quality assurance date - candled and graded - Grade AA - Grade A - coded pack date - continuous refrigeration - 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) - Donated Eggs Not for Resale - charitable food assistance programs - distribute by date - original packaging - not for resale - eggs in possession of retailer - sale as ungraded or unclassified eggs (prohibition)