The Egg Safety and Quality Management (ESQM) Program is responsible for the regulatory authority for shell eggs and egg products produced, shipped, or sold in California. ESQM ensures eggs have been properly handled, labeled, transported, refrigerated; and are wholesome and safe to eat.

For more information regarding California’s ESQM program, please visit the CDFA’s website at:

• CDFA Egg Safety and Quality Management Program
• ESQM Brochure - ca.gov (PDF)

• Container Markings Requirements (PDF)

Anyone involved in producing, candling, grading, packing, or otherwise preparing eggs, or anyone selling or marketing eggs must register as an egg handler. This includes eggs from all species of fowl, whether in the shell or in liquid, frozen, dried, or any other form, when intended as food for human consumption. Each location where eggs are handled must be registered. This includes all egg handlers within California, and all egg handlers outside of California that do business within California. There are no exemptions to the registration requirement.

For more information and to register as an egg handler, visit CDFA’s website below.
Egg handler registration and renewal forms can be found in the “Forms & Reports” section.

• CDFA Egg Handler Requirements & Forms

The Small Producer Outreach Program within the Egg Safety and Quality Management (ESQM) Program provides outreach, education and resources to small flock egg producers and backyard enthusiasts. The mission of the outreach program is to offer important information and resource materials to backyard bird owners and to help educate small flock egg producers in food safety and bio-security. ESQM strives to ensure safe and wholesome shell eggs for the local community. By partnering with small flock producers, ESQM also hopes to prevent the spread of highly contagious poultry disease to the California egg industry.

For more information, please visit the CDFA’s website at:

• CDFA – ESQM: Small Producer Outreach Program (ca.gov)