Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.

Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.

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Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.
Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.
The most surprising thing about eggs

The most surprising thing about eggs

You know what's up, but you just can't define it. (That's an opportunity.) Also, 7 other things worth your time.

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Bill Murphy Jr.
Sep 01, 2021
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Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.
Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.
The most surprising thing about eggs
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Today’s newsletter is made of eggs.

So is your car. So is your house. So is the computer or phone or iPad you’re reading this on.

They’re all made of eggs.

I can say that without fear of contradiction because of Title 21, Chapter I, Subchapter B, Part §160.100 of the US Code of Federal Regulations, which is entitled “Eggs,” and which reads in full:

“No regulation shall be promulgated fixing and establishing a reasonable definition and standard of identity for the food commonly known as eggs.”

Under the current guidelines, an egg plus a bunch of additives could still be called an "egg"—and so could a crumpled-up piece of paper filled with cigarette butts. At least in theory.

I know, it’s all kind of absurd. And it’s why Panera Bread petitioned the FDA to crack down on egg misnomers a while back. (Sorry about the minor pun; you should see the long list of bad jokes I edited out of today’s newsletter.)

For example, Panera suggested the FDA should declare that an egg combined with "additives, …

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