The egg is one of those basic, yet fascinating foods we take for granted. Let’s look at some questions many people have about eggs.
As with all our agricultural sectors here in Ontario, quality is number one when it comes to the eggs you eat. Freshness is an important factor, and Ontario egg farmers work hard to provide you with Grade ‘A’ quality fresh eggs.
The ‘Egg Farmers of Ontario’ organization represents over 500 egg farmers from across Ontario who account for about 40 per cent of total egg production in Canada. That’s about 200 million dozen eggs each year!
How are eggs graded? Graded eggs are what you find in the grocery store. The process of grading starts with the gathering of eggs from the chickens. The eggs are then washed in a mild detergent to remove any particles.
The eggs then go through a candling light where they are gently rotated to look for any imperfections inside the egg and also checking for any breaks in the shell. Only the ‘Grade A’ eggs move on and these eggs are then individually weighed. It is the weight that determines whether eggs are medium, large, or extra-large.
Is there any difference between ‘Farm Fresh Eggs’, and the eggs you buy in the grocery store? No, these are the same eggs. They travel from the farm to the grocery store in only three to seven days.
The eggs are collected on the farm, washed, graded and packaged at the grading facility, then immediately shipped to the grocery store. The only difference is that the ‘Farm Fresh Eggs’ are sold at the farm instead of the grocery store.
Eggs are one of the few foods considered to be a complete protein. A complete protein contains the nine essential amino acids your body cannot produce naturally. Regarded as the “building blocks” of the body, amino acids help form protein and are vital to your body’s health.
A large egg contains only 1.5 grams of saturated fat and zero trans-fats. In terms of nutrition, with only 70 calories and packed with 14 essential nutrients which your body needs, an egg is a nutrient-dense food.
Finally, white or brown eggs – which are better? Nutritionally, there is no difference between white and brown eggs. The difference is with the hens. White eggs come from white-feathered hens, while brown eggs come from brown-feathered hens.
Brown eggs tend to be more expensive because brown hens are larger and generally require more feed.
Ontario eggs – why not include more in your diet, which is a smart move and an eggscellent idea!
Just some food for thought.
Kim Cooper has been involved in the agribusiness sector for over 40 years. He can be reached at: kim.e.cooper@gmail.com
