Consumers have a choice of white eggs, brown eggs, eggs that are vitamin-enriched or from free-range hens, but they still prefer large, generic eggs, said a University of Alberta student research paper.
The price of eggs and habit are still the main reasons people choose plain, large eggs, said the report.
In the study, the students interviewed 203 consumers in an Edmonton grocery store about their egg-buying habits.
“Overall, the main reasons for choosing a particular egg size was habit and works well with recipes,” said the report.
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Shell colour was not a determining factor in buying eggs.
Almost 70 percent preferred large-sized eggs, but there was almost no brand loyalty.
The students concluded that because there was no consumer preference for white or brown eggs, there is a significant opportunity to improve the welfare of flocks by promoting brown shelled eggs from brown hens that are less prone to skeletal and leg problems.
In a separate study, another group of university students looked at the quality of eggs in the store.
It compared eggs from alternative-housing or free run, generic brown, generic white and nutritionally enriched eggs, which included omega-3 or vitamin fortified.
Over a two-week period 120 dozen eggs were collected from three Ed-monton retail outlets and analyzed.
The students found that generic white eggs had the largest portion of display space, which they concluded means they were the most commonly purchased egg type.
They also learned brown eggs had the highest egg and shell weight as well as the longest time to expiry.
However, brown eggs had the lowest albumen quality. Higher quality albumen translates into a higher protein quality.
Brown eggs also had the highest level of internal problems like blood spots.
The incidents of cracks or dirty shells were not influenced by egg quality or store location.
The research was not a surprise, said Brenda White, marketing director for the Alberta Egg Producers.
It confirms some of their consumer research on consumption and trends.
“A cheap price is a huge factor for people,” said White.
