Nutritionist urges people to check little-known code on eggs before buying

Next time you are buying eggs from a supermarket you may wish to consider the advice of a nutritionist, who has urged shoppers to "stop trusting" the cartons they come in.

Madinah Yate claims the key is in the finer detail - found on the eggs themselves rather than amongst the wealth of information provided on their packaging.

"Ever wondered how you can tell which eggs are from truly pasture-raised hens and are good quality?" she began in a TikTok video as she opened a dozen carton. "Because all this packaging is mostly just marketing."

Madinah went on to advise her viewers to ignore wording on egg packaging such as 'organic', 'farm fresh' and 'happy hens' - and instead look out for one important detail. "Go straight to the number stamp, which is on each egg itself," she said.

She elaborated: "Then, in the UK the numbers tell you everything in a range from nought to three - and nought is what you want as it's the best quality and means the egg is organic, pasture-raised and the chicken has had access to a proper outdoor space and enjoyed a natural diet."

According to Madinah, a number one on the egg means it is free range, which is "decent but not on the same level", while a two indicates the egg came from a barn-raised hen, one which had been kept indoors. She added: "And a three is the worst of all as it means they [hens] are caged and have had the lowest welfare."

The nutritionist closed by pointing out the best quality eggs possess richer yolks, better fatty acid profiles and have better vitamin content in A, D and E. "So if you are choosing better for the chickens, you are choosing better for your body," Madinah summarised. "So before you buy eggs, check the code - it's often more honest than the packaging."

Backing up her advice, the British Hen Welfare Trust states online: "Since 2004 an EU regulation has made it mandatory for commercially produced eggs to be stamped with a number indicating the farming production method. This allows consumers to distinguish between organic (O) Free Range (1) Barn (2) and Cage (3)."

The revelation came as a shock to one viewer, who responded: "Thanks for telling me, I feel silly because I’ve been purchasing the same brand for several years because the quality seemed good for the price but I’m just finding out they’re category 3."

Similarly, a second person commented: "I learnt something today. Thank you very much for this brief but informative video. You speak clearly, slowly and audibly. You don't sound like you are 'eating your own words, which happens in other people's videos. I buy a lot of eggs and will watch out for the numbering. Funny how this is not set out on the shelves in the stores."

A third agreed: "Thank you for that clearly explained information as I did not know that before about the 0-3 stamps." While a fourth TikTok user reported: "I bought some the other and they have 3s on. Going straight in the bin."