Mexico egg industry faces counterfeit and import concerns

Authorities and industry leaders in Mexico are raising alarms regarding the quality and authenticity of egg supplies. In the Laguna region of Durango, sanitary inspections in Gómez Palacio led to the seizure of 360 eggs lacking required sanitary labeling. There are concerns regarding the irregular use of the Huevo San Juan brand, which utilizes a specific traceability code printed on the shell to indicate the laying date, farm of origin, and flock ID. Consumers are advised to check for irregular ink quality or poorly defined characters as potential signs of counterfeit products.

Simultaneously, the Asociación de Avicultores de Tehuacán has warned about the influx of bulk egg imports from the United States. Jorge García de la Cadena Romero, president of the association, stated that while these imports are not illegal, they pose a threat to the local poultry industry in Puebla, which produces approximately 15 percent of Mexico’s national egg supply. Producers claim imported eggs are of lower quality because the natural protective cuticle is removed during processing, requiring refrigeration that is often lost during transport. To test freshness, producers suggest that local eggs will sink in water, whereas older imported eggs will float.