Thursday March 2, 2023 | VICTORIA, BC [Lastest update March 8, 2023]
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. | Island Social Trends
For those of us who like to include the best quality eggs in our shopping carts, here is the BC Egg description of ‘cafe-free’ eggs as being from three different types of hen housing: free-run, free-range and organic.
The hens that produce these eggs have room to roam outdoors or be active in contained outdoor runs. They will be brought indoors into aviaries or barns at night, for safety from predators and colder weather, says a provincial organization called BC Egg.
Nutritional value:
Free-range eggs pack a nutritional punch unlike any other food: 6 grams of protein, 70 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids, high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as good levels of Vitamins A, D, and E.
Free-range hens are widely thought to produce healthier eggs. Compared to mass-produced commercial eggs, eggs from free-range hens contain: one-third less cholesterol, one-quarter less saturated fat, two-thirds more vitamin A, two times more omega-3, three times more vitamin E, and seven times more beta-carotene.
One free-range egg generally contains: Calories: 78. Protein: 6.29 g. Total fat: 5.3 g. Carbohydrate: 0.56 g
About BC Egg:
BC Egg is an association of family owned and operated egg farmers.
About 80% of BC’s registered egg farmers are located in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, 14% in the Interior and Northern BC, and 6% here on Vancouver Island.
On Vancouver Island, BC Eggs shows their member farms as in Sooke, Brentwood Bay, Cobble Hill, Duncan, Nanaimo, Lake Cowichan and Parksville areas. There are plenty more egg producing farms in the BC Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley areas.
BC has the largest proportion of female farm operators in Canada, says BC Egg.
Clean eggs:
In Canada, eggs for retail sale must be washed. This is following regulations that are enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) which oversees all aspects of the egg grading process and inspects grading stations regularly. Eggs are to be washed in chlorinated water with a food-grade detergent.
Best before date:
The lower and consistent temperature by keeping eggs in your fridge limits the amount of moisture loss through the pores of the egg shell. This keeps the egg fresh right up to the “best before date” which is stamped on the exterior of the carton.
Carton recycling:
You can recycle clean dry cardboard egg cartons by including them in curbside/blue-box recycling, using them for storage of small items at home, for art projects, as seed-starter trays, or by giving them to a local egg farmer who can re-use them.
===== ABOUT THE WRITER:
Mary P Brooke is the editor of Island Social Trends. She holds a B.Sc. in Foods and Nutrition, and is a huge advocate of recycling, reuse and food security.
Also see: Island Social Trends Food Security News