20-25 Day Old Eggs Sold as 3-6 Day Old: Laboratory Test Results

As Easter approaches, the "Hetq" has presented laboratory tests on products from seven egg production companies to determine their freshness and whether they contain antibiotics. The news agency selected first-grade (01) fresh eggs, which were disinfected, numbered, and stored in a refrigerator before being taken to the laboratory.

Part of these eggs was sent to the "Standard Dialogue" laboratories in Yerevan and Gyumri to check for antibiotics and determine freshness, while the rest were sent to the National Agrarian University of Armenia’s laboratory for experts to ascertain the freshness of the samples. All products were within the shelf life at the time of testing and were being sold in stores.

The first sample was submitted for testing under the brand "Gntunik", with a production date of 03.04.2023. Laboratory tests did not detect antibiotics in these eggs. The freshness test evaluated the height of the egg's air cell, which should be a maximum of 9 mm for refrigerated eggs and 7 mm for non-refrigerated eggs. The greater the height of the air cell, the less fresh the egg is. The freshness test revealed that the air cell height of the "Gntunik" eggs was 8 mm, which is within normal limits.

However, a study conducted on April 7 by Dr. Siranuş Altunyan, the head of the Food Safety and Hygiene Department at the National Agrarian University, found that the "Gntunik" eggs labeled as 4 days old were actually 14 days old. According to the study, the weight of the "Gntunik" eggs was within norms at 64 grams, confirming they are indeed first grade, and the shell was clean. Thus, the "Gntunik" eggs sold on 03.04.23 will not maintain the freshness indicated on the label until the specified expiration of 25 days.

The second sample tested was from "Arzni Poultry Farm" with the same production date of 03.04.2023. This company's eggs were both dark and white (indicating they were laid by a different breed of hen). Laboratory tests showed no antibiotics in this sample either. The freshness test revealed that the air cell height was 7 mm, and Dr. Altunyan’s research showed that these eggs were actually 10 days old instead of the labeled 4 days. The study confirmed they are first grade, weighing 62 grams, with a clean shell and thick white (indicating high freshness quality). Therefore, the "Arzni" eggs sold on 03.04.23 will not retain the freshness indicated on the label until the specified 25-day expiration.

The third sample tested was from "Araks" poultry farm, produced on 03.04.2023. Laboratory tests again found no antibiotics. The freshness test indicated an air cell height of 6 mm, which is within the norm. Dr. Altunyan found that these eggs were also 10 days old instead of the labeled 4 days, passing as first grade, weighing 63 grams, though two out of ten samples had rusty spots near the air cell. Consequently, these "Araks" eggs will not be as fresh as labeled until the indicated expiration of 25 days.

The fourth to be tested was from "Ashtarak Egg" company, produced on 04.04.2023. The product has the EAC mark. Laboratory tests once again found no antibiotics. The freshness test showed an air cell height of 6 mm, normal according to standards. However, Dr. Altunyan established that these eggs were 15-20 days old instead of labeled 3 days. The study confirmed they are first grade, weighing 59 grams, with a slightly dirty shell and runny white (indicating lower quality). Thus, the "Ashtarak Egg" sold on 04.04.23 will not retain the freshness indicated by the label until the specified expiration of 25 days.

The fifth tested sample was from "Variant Group"'s "Masis", produced on 01.04.2023. Laboratory tests again showed no antibiotics. The air cell height was measured at 6 mm, within limits. Dr. Altunyan found that these eggs too were 15-20 days old instead of labeled 6 days. This sample was confirmed as first grade, weighing 57 grams, with a slightly dirty shell and intensely yellow yolk (pigmented due to improper storage conditions). Consequently, the "Masis" eggs sold on 01.04.23 will also not reach the defined expiration of 25 days with the indicated freshness.

The sixth sample was from "Lusakert Elite", produced on 03.04.2023. Three of the eggs were unmarked. Again, no antibiotics were found. The air cell height measured at 6 mm was within normal limits. However, Dr. Altunyan found that these eggs were 10 days old instead of 4 days old. They were confirmed as first grade, weighing 63 grams, with a clean shell and thick white (indicating very high quality). Thus, these "Lusakert Elite" eggs will not have the freshness indicated until the defined expiration of 25 days.

The seventh sample tested was from "Nubarashen Poultry Farm", specifically "Erebuni" eggs, with a production date of 23.03.2023 (the freshest batch found in stores). Laboratory tests showed no antibiotics. According to the freshness test, the air cell height was 8 mm, within normal limits. Dr. Altunyan’s research indicated that these eggs were actually 20-25 days old rather than the labeled 15 days. They confirmed as first grade, weighing 60 grams, with a somewhat dirty shell and intensely yellow, pigmented yolk. Thus, the "Erebuni" eggs sold on 23.03.23 also lack the freshness indicated until the set expiration of 25 days.

Conclusion: No antibiotic was detected in any of the samples presented for laboratory testing. According to the freshness tests, none of the samples exceeded the established norm for air cell height. However, the study by Dr. Siranuş Altunyan at the Agrarian University laboratory revealed that none of the presented samples had the freshness indicated by the producers. Specifically:

• N1 “Gntunik” eggs labeled as 4 days were actually 14 days old
• N2 “Arzni” eggs labeled as 4 days were actually 10 days old
• N3 “Araks” eggs also labeled as 4 days old were actually 10 days old, with two out of ten samples having rusty spots inside.
• N4 “Ashtarak Egg” company eggs were 15-20 days old instead of labeled 3 days, with a runny white.
• N5 “Variant Group”'s “Masis” eggs were 15-20 days old instead of labeled 6 days, with an intensely yellow yolk indicating improper storage conditions.
• N6 “Lusakert Elite” eggs were 10 days old instead of labeled 4 days old.
• N7 “Nubarashen Poultry Farm”'s “Erebuni” eggs were 20-25 days old instead of labeled 15 days, with a somewhat dirty shell and pigmented yolk.

The least deviation was seen in the products from "Arzni TTH", "Araks", and "Lusakert Elite", where 10-day-old eggs were labeled as 4-day. The most significant discrepancy was found in the "Ashtarak Egg", where 15-20-day eggs were labeled as 3-day, and in the "Masis", where 15-20-day eggs were labeled as 6-day. The products were within their expiration dates at the time of testing and publication and are still safe for consumption, but they will not hold the freshness indicated by the producer until the end of the 25-day period.