Uttar Pradesh: Expiration dates will not be printed on eggs in Uttar Pradesh for now. The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has expressed its disapproval. The FSDA says, “If these rules are strictly enforced, there will be a shortage of eggs in Uttar Pradesh. Prices will also rise significantly.”
Meanwhile, VP Singh, chairman of the UP Poultry Development Committee, says the department is under pressure from big businesses. This raises questions about what the real obstacle is in implementing this UP government order.
Why Rules Are Not Being Implemented
Reason 1: Eggs from Other States May Stop Coming
Every day, people in Uttar Pradesh consume 33.5 million eggs. The state produces 18 million eggs, while the remaining supply comes from Haryana, Punjab, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. These five states supply around 15.5 million eggs daily, nearly 46% of total consumption.
In these states, eggs are generally stamped only for export, not for domestic supply. If Uttar Pradesh enforces mandatory printing of production and expiry dates, eggs from these states may not enter the market, leading to a shortage.
Storage Confusion a Key Challenge
Reason 2: Market vs Cold Storage Confusion
Eggs stored at 5°C can last 35–45 days, while at 25–35°C they last about 14 days.
Since expiry dates would need to be printed immediately after laying, it becomes difficult to decide which eggs will go directly to the market and which will be stored in cold storage. This operational confusion is another reason why the FSDA is hesitant to implement the rule.
Centre-State Coordination Needed
A senior FSDA official said that before implementing the rule, letters will be sent to states like Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu to understand their regulations and best practices regarding egg expiry.
The aim is to ensure that supply chains are not disrupted while maintaining safety standards.
Allegations of Pressure from Big Traders
VP Singh alleges that the delay is due to pressure from large traders and organizations like the National Egg Coordination Committee.
He claims that such groups benefit from price fluctuations. According to him, traders buy eggs at lower prices, store them, and later sell them at higher rates during shortages.
He also suggested practical solutions like using different ink colors—gray for cold storage eggs and pink for market supply—to distinguish between them.
Price Fluctuations Raise Concerns
In Uttar Pradesh, egg pricing often follows rates from Barwala in Punjab. Over the past week, prices have fluctuated significantly—from ₹385 per 100 eggs on March 23 to ₹415 on March 30.
Based on daily supply, this variation could translate into a difference of nearly ₹1 crore, highlighting the economic impact of pricing volatility.