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Label Rouge eggs
Label Rouge eggs are laid by hens that, like Label Rouge poultry, have been reared outdoors using traditional farming methods
The Label Rouge tag has been used for eggs since 1998. Label Rouge eggs must be produced according to official Label Rouge specifications approved by the French authorities. Today, there are 14 specifications that have been validated for 11 Defense and Management Organizations, proof that the Label Rouge egg production sector is growing steadily.
A major change in farming methods
|
Production method |
Eggs from caged hens (1) |
Barn eggs (1) |
Free range eggs (1) |
Label Rouge free range eggs
|
|
Type of animal husbandry |
Closed environment,
in cages |
Closed environment |
Free range |
Free range |
|
Size of farm |
No maximum size
(up to 300,000 hens)
|
No maximum size |
No maximum size |
2 poultryhouses of 6,000 hens maximum |
|
Stocking rate inside the henhouse |
750 cm² of cage area per hen
(= 13 hens/m²) and
2000 cm²/cage
|
9 hens per m² usable area with
4 levels allowed
|
9 hens per m² usable area with
4 levels allowed
|
9 hens per m² usable area on the ground
(only 1 level)
|
|
Outdoor surface area |
- |
- |
4 m² / hen minimum
= 2500 hens / ha
|
5 m² / hen minimum
= 2000 hens / ha
|
|
Feed for laying hens |
No particular demands |
No particular demands |
No particular demands |
100 % plant-based feed, minerals and vitamins including 50 % minimum cereals with no artificial coloring
|
|
Egg collection |
No particular demands |
No particular demands |
No particular demands |
At least twice a day |
|
Time between laying and packing |
No particular demands |
No particular demands |
No particular demands |
4 days maximum |
|
Guarantee that egg is of superior quality |
- |
- |
- |
Regular inspection by organoleptic analysis |
|
Third-party inspection |
- |
- |
- |
Approved certifying |
(1) European standard: Council directive 1999/574/EC of 19 July 1999 laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens |
How does one recognize a Label Rouge egg?
Since January 1, 2004, eggs must be marked on their shells as well as on their packaging, in order to optimize the tracking system and improve consumer information.
The farming method must be clearly indicated on the box and a code must appear on the eggs :
- 0: organic production
- 1 : free range/Label Rouge free range eggs
- 2 : barn eggs
- 3 : eggs from caged eggs.
Label Rouge eggs can be recognized by the Label Rouge logo, which is affixed to the box and by the “1” code stamped on each egg. |