Today, most of the eggs are still sold as shell eggs but for several years, the use of processed eggs has increased considerably, according to Filiep Van Bosstraeten. It is estimated that in Europe between 20 and 25 per cent are transformed into egg products and it is expected that by the year 2015, this figure might be between 30 and 35 per cent.

In the US, the actual percentage is already more than 30 per cent and insiders predict this figure will be close to 50 per cent by 2015.

Unfortunately, egg products do not add to the total egg consumption but they are replacing the consumption of the eggs in shell. The food industry replaced their purchases of shell eggs by egg products because:

• egg breaking is labour-intensive
• strict governmental regulations require special facilities and machinery
• it will increase their waste problems (eggshells, washing water, etc.)
• daily variation of the prices of shells eggs requires expertise
• egg products are easier to store
• egg products are easier to use, and
• in some cases, they only need either the egg white or the egg yolk

Further Reading

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Further Reading

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