Proof Of The Egg Is Not In The Size: Thai Study

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Proof of the egg is not in the size
By MAYUREE SUKYINGCHAROENWONG
WANNAPA KHAOPA
The Nation 2011-01-28

Do you prefer to buy large eggs and wonder if buying mixed-size eggs by the kilogram will work for you?

Small eggs are more nutritious than large ones as they have a higher ratio of yolk to white, says Assoc Prof Dr Chaiyapoom Bunchasak, head of the Department of Animal Sciences at Kasetsart University.
Chaiyapoom said studies showed one kilogram of small eggs had more essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals than a kilogram of large eggs.

"Moreover, they have longer shelf lives because they have higher Haugh unit scores, which indicates that they stay fresh longer than large eggs," he said. "And they have stronger shells, so it's more difficult to break them."

Chaiyapoom said some of his experiments had found small eggs had a higher proportion of protein and a lower proportion of fat, though other experiments had shown the reverse.

"I choose to eat small eggs," he said. "I want to tell consumers that small eggs do not have less nutrition. They are no different to large eggs in terms of quality. So there's nothing wrong with buying mixed-size eggs."

"Indeed, the US has conducted research on how to reduce egg sizes to improve their quality," he added.

The Commerce Ministry approved the sale of eggs by the kilo earlier this month with Bangkok as a pilot area. The measure will take effect next month.

Chaiyapoom released his findings to the media in response to concerns that consumers would try to select large eggs over small ones when buying by the kilogram.

Three or four years ago, Chaiyapoom's research team carried out a survey that found that prices and sizes of eggs were the main factors that influenced consumers' decisionmaking.

Most of the 300 respondents said they knew little about the relative quality of eggs of different sizes.

The survey inspired the team to research the nutritional value of different sizes of egg to help educate the public.

"Thai people eat far fewer eggs than people in many foreign countries like Malaysia, the US and Japan. For example, a Thai eats only around 100 eggs per year on average, while a Japanese eats around 300," he said.

A package of 10 of the largest eggs (size "00") at a supermarket costs Bt69.

The faculty will give a lecture on comparing the nutritional value of large and small eggs and how to choose fresh eggs at "Kaset Fair 2011", which takes place at the university from January 28 to February 5.

Those wishing to attend the free lecture, which will take place on February 2 and February 4 from 1pm to 2pm, can register on the day at the fair.