A shipment of unbroken shell eggs should be rejected when the

Receiving criteria for shell eggs are strict because eggs are a TCS food and can be a source ofSalmonella. According to ServSafe receiving standards, shell eggs must be clean and unbroken upon delivery. If theegg shells are soiled—meaning they have traces of manure, dirt, or feathers—the shipment must be rejected. Soiled shells indicate poor sanitary conditions at the farm or during packing, and the dirt on the outside of the shell can easily contaminate the egg when it is cracked or contaminate the hands of the food handler.

The quality of the egg (Option A), such as Grade AA, A, or B, is a matter of preference and recipe requirement rather than safety. A yolk that does not break (Option B) or a white that clings to the yolk (Option D) are actually signs of high-quality, fresh eggs; as eggs age, the whites become thinner and the yolks break more easily. From a safety perspective, the manager must verify that the eggs are received at an ambient air temperature of $45^{\circ}F$ ($7^{\circ}C$) or lower and that the shells are free of cracks and visible filth. Any eggs that are leaking or dirty pose a significant risk of cross-contamination in the refrigerator. Documenting the rejection and the reason (e.g., "soiled shells") is a key part of an operation's Food Safety Management System and ensures that only safe products enter the Flow of Food.