Dive Brief:
- Six egg-producing states have filed an appeal of California's Proposition 2, which prevents these states from selling their eggs in California, where they once sold a total of 2 billion eggs annually. The ban took effect Jan. 1.
- In Proposition 2, all in-state and out-of-state egg producers are banned from selling retail raw shell eggs if they don't abide by certain animal welfare and safety statutes outlined by the ban. These statutes include "caging laying hens in spaces not large enough for the birds to spread their wings," according to Food Safety News.
- These states filed a lawsuit previously, but it was dismissed without getting to the merits. The states have now returned with an appeal for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that contains even more "bulked-up arguments" this time around, says Food Safety News.
Dive Insight:
While Proposition 2 protects California consumers over egg producers, it does not protect local businesses who purchase eggs. According to Food Safety News, "California consumes about 9 billion eggs a year, but only produces about 5 billion." That shortage has contributed to significantly higher prices for eggs — some of the highest ever. Food Safety News provides an example, "Take restaurant and food service eggs, which are sold in boxes containing 15 dozen eggs. A box of those eggs that went for $8.50 a year ago are now fetching $53."