Why are American eggs so white?

Eggs come in many colors

However, many people don't know what causes eggs to have different colors. The answer is quite simple — egg color depends on the breed of the chicken. For example, White Leghorn chickens lay white-shelled eggs, while Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds lay brown-shelled eggs ( 1 , 2 ).

Why are American eggs different?

Many large scale egg production facilities in the US feed their chickens cheap grain and corn mixed with supplements and antibiotics to keep them healthy, instead of feeding them a more balanced and higher-quality diet. This grain and corn diet causes pale yellow yolks.

Are eggs bleached in America?

White eggs in the United States are not bleached, contrary to popular internet belief. The color, instead, depends on the kind of chicken that is laying the egg, and it usually corresponds with the color of the chicken's earlobe.

Why are British eggs not white?

The move was mainly due to misconceptions back in the late 70s that white eggs were of lower quality and even that they were bleached which has now been rebuffed. Since the 1980s the British industry has produced almost 100 per cent brown shelled eggs for high street retailers.

Why US produced eggs are banned across Europe?

American farms wash eggs to strip the cuticle, or outer protective layer, which prevents contamination outside the shell. Without the cuticle, eggs must be refrigerated to combat bacterial infection from inside. In Europe, it's illegal to wash eggs and instead, farms vaccinate chickens against salmonella.

Why US Produced Eggs Are Banned Across Europe (

Why are American eggs washed?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) determined that the best way to fight Salmonella contamination is by sanitizing the eggs before they reach the consumer. The washing process removes contaminants, but it also removes the natural coating of the egg, leaving the shell porous.

Why are British eggs illegal in America?

Believe it or not, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) graded eggs would be illegal if sold in the UK, or indeed anywhere in the European Union (EU). It's all to do with the fact that commercial American eggs are federally required to be washed and sanitized before they reach the consumer.

Why are there no white eggs in France?

According to French Wikipedia, French chickens used to lay mainly white eggs. But French chickens were cross-bred with Asian breeds starting in about 1850, and now all the eggs are brown (called œufs rosés in French). Twenty-four eggs laid by free-range chickens.

Why are American eggs so yellow?

The yellow color in egg yolks, as well yellowish chicken skin and fat, comes from pigments found in plants called xanthophylls, primarily lutein, notes Han Jianlin, a geneticist at the International Livestock Research Institute.

Why do Americans keep eggs in the fridge?

Cleaning the eggs removes the cuticle, so the eggs must be kept at refrigeration temperature. Otherwise, the bacteria could easily enter the egg and multiply to dangerous levels. By keeping it out of the danger zone, salmonella can't multiply rapidly.

What is the difference between UK and US eggs?

English eggs look and taste very different from American ones. The yolks are more orange and they taste slightly richer. They also taste fresher and more flavorful than your average American factory farm egg. (We're not talking free range, organic eggs, but the kind that come from chickens stacked in tiny cages.)

Why are eggs not refrigerated in Mexico?

They can get moldy. Another perk of consistent refrigeration is shelf life: It jumps from about 21 days to almost 50 days. In a lot of countries, constant refrigeration just isn't possible because it's simply too costly. “Some of the countries cannot afford cold storage during the whole supply chain,” says Chen.

Why are British egg yolks so orange?

The yolk color actually comes from what the hens eat: a diet rich in carotenoids, the natural yellow-orange pigment found in fruits (cantaloupe), vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, and kale), and flowers. No artificial color additives are allowed in chicken feed, so any orange yolks you spot come from a pure source.

Which country has the best quality eggs?

Why don't we get white eggs anymore?

The last commercial white eggs slipped off our shelves in the mid-2000s due to a lack of demand. We asked for brown eggs, presuming them to be healthier, and naturally produced. We were wrong. "People believe brown eggs are less processed and more natural.

Are British eggs washed?

In the UK, Grade A hen eggs may not be washed because the process is thought to "aid the transfer of harmful bacteria like salmonella from the outside to the inside of the egg," according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

Why are Italian eggs so yellow?

Italian hens are often raised very naturally on free-range farms so are able to roam and have a varied diet, his gives them the very yellow yolk.

Why are European egg yolks darker?

Egg yolks come in different shades of yellow around the world, ranging from pale straw to a deep gold, depending on the hen's diet. In general, the more carotenoids – naturally occurring red and orange pigments found in a variety of plants and animals – the hen eats, the darker the yolk.

Why are eggs refrigerated in Canada?

As a general rule, Canadian eggs should be refrigerated due to the cleaning process they go through after being hatched. But this only applies to industrial eggs. Eggs bought from farmers' markets or laid by chickens on your farm may not require refrigeration.

Why you shouldn't wash fresh eggs?

“If you wash an egg before you cook it, because its shell is porous, the water…can push bacteria into the egg,” warns Amy Leigh Mercree, holistic health expert and bestselling author of ten books including The Mood Book.

What is a blue egg?

There are three breeds that lay blue eggs: Ameraucanas, Araucanas and Cream Legbars. The blue color is created by oocyanin, which is applied early in the laying process. The blue pigment goes right through the shell, unlike the brown pigment. So blue eggs are blue inside and out.

Are brown eggs better than white eggs?

Shell color can influence people's choice of eggs, and some people believe that brown eggs are superior or healthier. However, there is no significant difference in nutrients between brown and white eggs.

Are eggs in Australia washed?

In Australia, eggs have to be washed and because there is little to no chance of interior contamination while eggs are forming, they can be kept on the shelf. However, if you want them to keep longer, it's advised you take them home and put them in the fridge.

Why are eggs not refrigerated in supermarkets?

Eggs should be stored in the fridge. They are not stored in the fridge in shops because they would amass condensation on your way home and this is what will encourage contamination through the shell.