Is It Safe to Buy Eggs in Canada? Understanding Regulations and Recalls

October 22, 2025 •

2 min read

According to a 2025 Statistics Canada report, Canadian farmers produced over 915 million dozen eggs in 2024, an increase from the previous year, with a highly regulated supply chain. This production volume is managed by a system with rigorous food safety and animal welfare standards, which begs the question for many consumers: is it safe to buy eggs in Canada?

Quick Summary

Canadian eggs are produced under a robust national framework, including the Egg Quality Assurance (EQA) program and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) oversight, ensuring high food safety standards. Consumers should still practice proper handling and be vigilant for specific recalls, like the limited Salmonella recall in January 2025.

Key Points

Stringent Regulations: Canadian egg safety is overseen by multiple organizations, including Health Canada and the CFIA, ensuring high standards across the supply chain.
EQA® Certification: The Egg Quality Assurance™ (EQA®) program guarantees that eggs come from regulated Canadian farms that meet strict food safety and animal welfare criteria.
Washing and Refrigeration: Graded Canadian eggs are washed to remove surface contaminants and must be continuously refrigerated to prevent bacterial growth.
Proactive Recalls: The system is designed to catch issues like Salmonella contamination early, as demonstrated by the January 2025 recall, which was based on testing results and not widespread illness reports.
Consumer Responsibility: Consumers should only buy graded eggs from reputable retailers, check cartons for cracks, and follow proper handling and cooking procedures.

The Canadian Framework for Egg Safety

Canada's egg supply is managed by a comprehensive system involving multiple layers of oversight to ensure quality and minimize risks, focusing on preventing contamination at the source.

Key Pillars of Canadian Egg Safety

Supply Management: A federal system regulating egg production to ensure a stable and safe supply, supporting investment in quality and safety.
Egg Quality Assurance™ (EQA®) Program: A voluntary, widely adopted program by Egg Farmers of Canada for strict food safety and animal welfare standards. This includes Start Clean-Stay Clean® for on-farm safety and an Animal Care Program with regular inspections.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA): Responsible for federal food safety regulation, including registering grading stations, enforcing rules, and managing recalls.
Health Canada: Sets overarching health regulations and standards.

How Canadian Eggs Are Processed

Eggs follow strict processes from farm to store:

Collection: Eggs are collected and stored under temperature control on the farm.
Grading: At CFIA-registered stations, eggs are washed, candled, weighed, and sorted into grades (like Grade A), which is required for all eggs sold in grocery stores.
Refrigeration: Washing removes the protective shell layer, making continuous refrigeration necessary to prevent bacteria growth, as enforced by Health Canada and CFIA.

Comparison: Canadian vs. US Egg Safety

Both countries have strong systems, but differ in handling:


Feature	Canada	United States
Primary Regulation	CFIA, Health Canada, Egg Farmers of Canada (EQA)	FDA, USDA
Washing	Washed, cuticle removed, requires refrigeration	Typically washed, sanitized, requires refrigeration
Refrigeration	Mandatory from farm to table for graded eggs	Mandatory from processing plant to retail
Salmonella Testing	Regulated farms perform environmental testing	Farms test for Salmonella Enteritidis
Recalls	Coordinated by CFIA, often test-triggered	By FDA/USDA, sometimes after illness reports

The January 2025 Salmonella Recall Explained

In early 2025, the CFIA issued a recall for specific shell eggs due to potential Salmonella. This action was prompted by routine testing, not reports of widespread illness. The recall was limited to particular lot codes from one producer and was managed by the CFIA.

How to Ensure Your Eggs Are Safe

Consumers should complement Canada's safety system with vigilance. Key steps include buying only Canada Grade A eggs from reputable sources, looking for the EQA® mark, inspecting eggs before purchase, and keeping them refrigerated. Thorough cooking and proper hygiene when handling raw eggs are also essential. Staying informed about recalls via the CFIA website and checking lot codes is important during such events.

Conclusion

The Canadian egg industry operates under a robust system, with programs like EQA® and oversight from the CFIA, ensuring high safety standards for eggs available in grocery stores. While some risks are inherent, the established protocols, as seen in the handling of the January 2025 recall, aim to safeguard consumers. By selecting graded eggs, following hygienic practices, and remaining aware of current information, Canadians can consume eggs with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary risk, though rare, is bacterial contamination, most notably Salmonella. All graded eggs sold in stores undergo safety programs, but ungraded eggs from smaller operations carry a higher risk.

Graded eggs sold in Canadian grocery stores are washed to remove contaminants and dirt. This process removes the shell's natural protective cuticle, so these eggs must be refrigerated.

No, if you don't have the specific recalled product. The recall was limited to certain lot codes and brands and was handled swiftly by the CFIA. No illnesses were reported in connection with those particular eggs.

The EQA® (Egg Quality Assurance™) mark is a certification that indicates eggs were produced by Canadian farmers who follow strict food safety and animal welfare standards, as verified by third-party audits.

While the risk is low with graded, properly handled eggs, it is safest to cook eggs thoroughly until both the white and yolk are firm, especially for young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.

If a recall is announced, check the CFIA website for the specific brand, size, UPC, and lot codes. If your eggs match, throw them out or return them to the store. Do not consume them.

Eggs sold at farmers' markets may be ungraded and are not subject to the same strict food safety standards as graded store-bought eggs. This gives them a higher potential for Salmonella contamination, so it is recommended to cook them thoroughly.