Mississippi direct-to-consumer compliance, guide 9 of 24

Eggs

Fresh shell eggs need an MDAC license, flock testing and cold storage at 45 degrees.

State License Required

$10annual Retail Food Sanitation License-Eggs

45 Fmaximum ambient storage temperature

500laying hens or fewer for the unclassified route

7 daysmaximum from lay to pack

What is covered

Unclassified eggs (minimum USDA Grade B quality) sold by the producer
Eggs from NPIP-tested flocks of 500 hens or fewer
Air-dried hard-cooked eggs with intact shells (cottage list)

Needs a different path

Eggs labeled or marked as USDA graded
Ice or gel packs for storage; dry ice or commercial packs are allowed only during transport
Cooked egg dishes and custards (not cottage food)

Three compliance steps

A
Test and license
Schedule NPIP testing through the Board of Animal Health (601-359-1170), then apply to MDAC (601-359-1148) for the license.
B
Pack and label
Pack within 7 days of lay. Label the producer name and address, the word eggs, count, date of pack, and the SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS statement. Obscure old carton labels and USDA shields.
C
Keep them cold
Hold eggs at or below 45 F in mechanical refrigeration, with an NSF thermometer in the cooler, and display the license where you sell.

Quick reference

Item	Rule	Regulator
License	Retail Food Sanitation License-Eggs, $10 per year; display at point of sale	MDAC
Flock	NPIP testing required before license for any off-farm sales	Board of Animal Health
Temperature	45 F or below at all times, mechanical refrigeration	MDAC
Pack date	Eggs packed within 7 days of lay; date of pack on carton	MDAC
Label	Producer name and address, eggs, count, pack date, safe handling statement	MDAC
Reused cartons	Black out prior labels and USDA shield	MDAC

Common questions

Can I sell eggs from a cooler without ice?

The cooler must be mechanically refrigerated with a thermometer. MDAC allows dry ice or commercial ice packs only during transport and prohibits ice or gel packs for storage.

Can I say Grade A?

No. Labeling may not indicate USDA grading, and producer eggs are sold unclassified.

Is a cottage license enough?

No. Cottage food covers only air-dried hard-cooked eggs in the shell. Fresh eggs need the MDAC license.

Printable checklist

NPIP flock test complete
MDAC egg license obtained ($10)
License displayed at sale
Refrigeration at 45 F or below
Thermometer in cooler
Eggs packed within 7 days of lay
Carton labeled with pack date and safe handling text
Old labels and USDA shield blacked out