Selling eggs

We have 9 layers and I was wondering if anyone has advice about selling eggs... Liability? Business license?

We have started having our son collect the eggs, wash them, and put them in the carton and he earns the money we get for them. Just through friends and co workers at this point but I wonder if there are safety issues I might not be aware of yet... ?

Each state has its own regulations.
Some are quite relaxed, while others are very militant.

Personally, I would think that with 9 layers, after family consumption is subtracted, there would not be so many eggs for sale to warrant any extensive 'infrastructure' setup.

One thing many states frown on is using leftover cartons. If the cartons are marked with a producer's name/brand, and any sizing/grading info, these should be 'whited out'so as to NOT imply that these are "Safeway Grade A Large".

Here is a Colorado guideline for cleaning/sanitizing eggs.
Home flock egg washing

Thank you for the info! We have 13 more that aren't laying yet...

Good to know about the cartons. I was discounting the eggs if people brought back the carton so we could re use them, but maybe that's not such a good idea.

We live in cAlifornia and I haven't looked up any regs yet. We also have turkey's we are raising to use for thanksgiving. Some for our family and some for friends. If people liked it we were going to try to do more and sell them next year. Again, I haven't really looked in to rules and regs for selling meat.

Our overall goal was to provide healthy food to our loved ones and just cover what the animals themselves cost. Any tips about the meat processing is also appreciated!

Ouch it looks like California is as tough on the regulations as you would expect. All producers must register and pay of fee. I am surprised you are allowed to not refrigerate for 4 days. That is a nice feature. Looks like there is no option to sell ungraded eggs though. Here is a good summary: http://ucanr.edu/sites/CESonomaAgOmbuds/Selling_Fresh_Eggs/

received this today when i emailed the local authorities to ask what would be needed

Please use the link provided below to obtain additional information regarding selling Chicken Shell Eggs in California. A In State Egg Handler registration form is also available on the web page, below the map of California. If you have any questions please e-mail or call me.



http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/mpes/esqm.html



27633. It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of

an egg handler without first registering as an egg handler as

provided for in Article 3 (commencing with Section 27541).

We do not wash our eggs. Washing the chickens natural "bloom" from the eggs leaves the porous shell susceptible to bacteria. A very dirty egg will get a quick scraper cleaning with a dry green scratch pad.