🥚 Ohio Egg Producers: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
If you raise chickens or ducks and sell eggs from your farm, farm stand, or at a farmers market, Ohio law changed in late 2025. Many small producers are still operating under the old rules, so I wanted to share what the current law says.
Who is considered a Small Egg Producer?
Under House Bill 96 of the 136th Ohio General Assembly, effective October 1, 2025, Ohio created a new category called a Small Egg Producer. If you maintain 500 or fewer laying birds (including chickens, ducks, and other laying poultry), you fall into this category.
The law amended Ohio Revised Code § 3715.021, removing small egg producers from the definition of a food processing establishment.
What changed?
If you qualify as a Small Egg Producer:
✅ You are no longer required to register with or be inspected by the Ohio Department of Agriculture as a food processing establishment in order to sell your own eggs directly to consumers.
Your responsibilities under Ohio law
The law removed unnecessary registration requirements, but it did not remove food safety requirements.
Eggs offered for sale should:
• Be clean, wholesome, and free of cracks.
• Be kept refrigerated at 45°F or below during storage, transportation, and while being offered for sale.
• Be sold in clean cartons that accurately identify the eggs inside.
Each carton should include:
• Producer’s name and address
• Quantity
• Date packed
• “Ungraded” or “Unclassified,” unless the eggs have been officially graded
• “Mixed Size,” if applicable
• Safe handling instructions
If you reuse egg cartons, all previous information must be completely covered or removed so there is no confusion about who produced the eggs or how they were graded.
What about duck eggs?
Duck eggs may also be sold by qualifying small egg producers. They are subject to the same food safety, refrigeration, and labeling requirements as chicken eggs.
Where can you sell your eggs?
Qualifying small egg producers may sell eggs directly to consumers from:
🥚 Their farm
🥚 A roadside or farm stand
🥚 A farmers market
🥚 Other direct-to-consumer locations, provided they comply with Ohio’s food safety and labeling requirements.
The purpose of House Bill 96 was to reduce unnecessary regulation for Ohio’s small farms while maintaining important food safety standards for consumers. It recognizes that small producers can sell directly to the public without being regulated as food processing establishments.
There has been a great deal of confusion since these changes took effect, so I hope this summary helps clarify the current law for Ohio’s small egg producers.
Please feel free to share this post with anyone who raises and sells eggs in Ohio. The more accurate information we share, the better we can support our local farmers while ensuring everyone is operating under the current law.
One final thought: The goal of state law is to provide consistency throughout Ohio so that farmers and producers understand the rules no matter where they sell. While local governments have authority over many local matters, any additional local requirements should be supported by a valid ordinance or other legal authority and should not conflict with current Ohio law. Clear, consistent rules benefit everyone—farmers, consumers, and local governments alike.