Cracking the Date Code on Egg Cartons

Is there a way to tell from the egg carton how old the eggs are? Are there some guidelines for how long eggs are safe to eat? <br /> <br /> According to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), "Many eggs reach stores only a few days after the hen lays them. Egg cartons with the USDA grade shield on them, indicating they came from a USDA-inspected plant, must display the 'pack date' (the day that the eggs were washed, graded, and placed in the carton). The number is a three-digit code that represents the consecutive day of the year (the 'Julian Date') starting with January 1 as 001 and ending with December 31 as 365." <www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/pubs/shelleggs.htm><br /> To determine Julian Dates:<br /> <br /> · Access a "Julian Date Converter" to calculate the day/month pack date from the Julian Date by clicking this USDA link: www.ams.usda.gov/poultry/consumer/InterpretPackDate.htm <br /> <br /> · View how days correspond to Julian Dates by clicking on: www.usda.gov/procurement/toolkit/calendar.pdf<br /> <br /> Though not required, egg cartons also may contain a "sell by" date beyond which they should not be sold. In USDA-inspected plants (indicated by the USDA shield on the package), this date can't exceed 30 days beyond the pack date. Always purchase eggs before their "sell by" date.<br /> <br /> Stamped on the end of the carton - <br /> First two letters and 3 numbers <br /> Indicate the plant number â

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