Our Mission
Provide safeguards for egg producers and consumers that will promote honest, equitable and sustainable egg supply through education and working together.
Anyone engaged in the production, sale or handling of shell eggs or egg products in Iowa must register with IEQAP. IEQAP performs inspections at production sites and egg safety rule inspections under contract with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and conducts outreach activities aimed at educating small flock egg producers and others about egg quality and food safety.
Program Requirements for Egg Handlers
IDALS egg licensing is based upon the Iowa Administrative Rules, Chapter 36. To apply for an Egg Handler’s License, fill out the egg handler form and submit to the office with the appropriate fees.
Online Licensing Portal
The Commercial Feed and Fertilizer Bureau has launched a new online system to improve customer service.
Small Flock Producers
If you are producing shell eggs and selling to restaurants, bakeries or grocery stores or transporting shell eggs, regardless of facility size or number of hens, you must comply with the Iowa Egg Handlers rules. Producers of shell eggs with a flock over 3,000 hens are also required to be registered with FDA and follow the federal Egg Rule.
All egg producers must take precautions to prevent the introduction and spread of disease-causing organisms. Biosecurity is the key to having disease-free flocks. Developing and practicing daily biosecurity procedures on the farms and in the backyards will reduce the potential spread of infectious disease.
Be proactive; know your birds and their behaviors. You can enact measures to protect the flock. If you detect a contagious disease early, this can greatly reduce the impact and spread of disease.
When purchasing birds use a reputable source, a seller with NPIP approval is preferred.
When selecting healthy birds look for the following:
- Physical health; feather cover should be even, tight and well-colored
- Eyes should be round, wide open and bright. No swelling around them.
- Vent should be clean and droppings well-formed
- Watch for birds that are stressed, they are at a higher risk for disease
What do I do when I bring them home?
- Quarantine
- Introduce them to your current flock
- Keep the flock healthy
- Recognize signs of illness
- Clean and disinfect the surroundings
- Maintain healthy birds
- Ventilation is important
- Keep area clean
- Practice good rodent and pest control
- Restrict other animals in living area of chickens to avoid cross contamination and spread of virus/illness
- Biosecurity plan—restrict unnecessary human traffic
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If you want to… |
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Sell eggs directly to home consumers |
No IDALS license |
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Sell eggs at farmers market |
No IDALS license |
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Sell eggs to retail store* |
Yes, IDALS license required |
*includes but not limited to retail, bakery, restaurant, or warehouse
Online Licensing Portal
The Commercial Feed and Fertilizer Bureau has launched a new online system to improve customer service.
The license is good for two years; the license cycle is on odd years. If you are applying in the middle of the cycle, the fees are not prorated.
Yes, the company must have a current IDALS license to ship eggs into the State of Iowa.
New applicants will not be issued a license to sell eggs. Established licensed egg handlers will not be able to sell eggs until a successful follow-up inspection has occurred.
The inspection takes place at the location the eggs are being candled and graded.
A label shall include the following:
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Name (producer/egg handler)
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Address
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License number or USDA plant number
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The grade and size of eggs
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Date the eggs were packed
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Printed letters on the labels shall not be less than ¼ inch in height
We recognize the pack date. Some states recognize the Julian date. You can have both on your label if you chose, just be consistent.
Yes, IDALS regulates all egg handlers; there are few exceptions (see “Do I Need an Iowa Egg Handlers License” above). Flocks of over 3000 hens are also regulated by FDA.
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<3000 hens |
IDALS registration required |
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>3000 hens |
IDALS and FDA registration required |
The health and wellbeing of flocks, farmers and workers is of utmost importance. Disease-free flocks are an important step in providing high-quality food for consumers. Biosecurity measures include restricting visitors on the farm and in the houses and prohibiting employees from keeping birds at home or handling them.