As part of efforts to help people easily check how fresh the eggs are when they're buying them from supermarkets... a labeling system takes effect from today.<br />Lee Seung-jae reports.<br />Cartons of eggs are on sale at this major supermarket chain in Seoul.<br />A 10-digit information code is printed on the egg shells.<br />Plans for the new labeling system were first launched on February 23rd,... and after a six-month grace period,... the system is now live.<br />Large supermarkets have already started checking to make sure there are no problems with the labels.<br />Because the ink is water-soluble, it could smear during the summer. So we check the labels during the stocking process. If there are any smears, we replace the eggs.<br />So what does the 10-digit code indicate?<br />The first 4 numbers indicate the date the egg was laid,... followed by a 5-digit code which indicates who the producers are.<br />The last number indicates the breeding environment for the chickens laying the eggs.<br />The number one indicates chickens raised in a paddock.<br />Two indicates free-range chickens.<br />Three and four indicate chickens raised in upgraded coops and normal coops, respectively.<br />But for most consumers, the first four numbers are the most important digits to look out for.<br />"Eggs are food, you can't eat them after they expire. So the date they were laid on is the most important thing."<br />Eggs have a shelf life of 30 days if stored at room temperature,... and 40 to 45 days if stored in a fridge.<br />From Friday, if supermarkets in South Korea sell unlabeled eggs,... they can be subject to a 15-day business suspension and be forced to throw away all their unlabeled eggs.<br />Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.<br />
