What process checks for defects in eggs?

• A. Candling
• B. Fertilizer
• C. Recycling
• D. Plant media

Answer: (A)

Candling is the process used to check eggs for defects by shining a bright light through the shell to reveal the contents inside. This technique lets you see cracks, translucency, the size of the air cell, and any developing embryo or internal defects. In practice, eggs are held up to a strong light or placed in a candling device; cracked shells appear as dark spots or lines, and an unusually large air cell can indicate an older egg. Candling is non-destructive and quick, making it ideal for quality control in egg processing so defective eggs can be removed before packaging or sale. The other options don’t apply to eggs—fertilizer is for plants, recycling is waste processing, and plant media is the growing substrate for plants.