Eggshell membrane
Eggshell membrane suppliers and sourcing guide
Eggshell membrane is the thin, fibrous layer between the shell and the egg white of a hen's egg, made mostly of protein (including collagen) plus glycosaminoglycans. Egg processors separate the membrane from crushed shells, usually by a water-based or mechanical method, then dry and mill it. It is sold as a whole dried membrane powder or as a partly hydrolyzed, more soluble powder made with enzymes or alkali.
- Category
- Specialty nutrients
- Also known as
- egg membrane · natural eggshell membrane · hydrolyzed eggshell membrane · ESM
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of eggshell membrane
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Native membrane powder
Dried, milled membrane with no hydrolysis; insoluble, used in capsules and tablets.
Hydrolyzed membrane
Membrane partly broken down by enzymes or alkali so it dissolves in water; used in drinks and powders. Process and degree of hydrolysis differ by supplier.
Branded ingredients
Several suppliers sell patented membrane ingredients with their own processing and specifications.
Organic or cage-free sourced
Membrane from organic or cage-free egg supply chains, offered by some suppliers with documentation.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Protein content
- Total protein by Kjeldahl or Dumas combustion, the main measure of purity.
- Marker assays
- Supplier-specific markers such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine or chondroitin by named methods; values differ with method and processing.
- Shell residue (ash or calcium)
- Ash or calcium content, which shows how well shell fragments were removed.
- Moisture and particle size
- Loss on drying and sieve analysis for blending and capsule fill.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the supplier specification and the buyer's own limits.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, Enterobacteriaceae or coliforms, and Salmonella, which matters for an egg-derived ingredient.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store sealed in moisture-barrier packaging in a cool, dry place away from odors. Hydrolyzed grades are more hygroscopic than native powder and should be resealed quickly. Shelf life and retest conditions come from the supplier's specification.
Lots and expiry dates
Protein and marker results can vary with egg source and processing run, so check each COA against the specification and record the processing type (native or hydrolyzed). Egg is a major allergen, so keep the allergen statement with the lot and rotate first-expiry-first-out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
The EU Novel Food Catalogue entry for Gallus gallus domesticus (POL-NF-09283) lists egg membrane derived from the eggshell membranes of chicken eggs as not novel in food.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)The same EU catalogue entry lists egg membrane hydrolysate derived from eggshell membranes as an authorised novel food.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)GRN 1194, for partially hydrolyzed eggshell membrane powder notified by ESM Technologies, LLC, closed in February 2025 when FDA ceased to evaluate it at the notifier's request.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Eggshell membrane suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking eggshell membrane suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell eggshell membrane? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of eggshell membrane can brands buy?
Common forms include native membrane powder, hydrolyzed membrane, branded ingredients and organic or cage-free sourced. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for eggshell membrane include?
Expect protein content, marker assays, shell residue (ash or calcium), moisture and particle size, heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should eggshell membrane be stored?
Store sealed in moisture-barrier packaging in a cool, dry place away from odors. Hydrolyzed grades are more hygroscopic than native powder and should be resealed quickly. Shelf life and retest conditions come from the supplier's specification.
What is the regulatory status of eggshell membrane?
The EU Novel Food Catalogue entry for Gallus gallus domesticus (POL-NF-09283) lists egg membrane derived from the eggshell membranes of chicken eggs as not novel in food. The same EU catalogue entry lists egg membrane hydrolysate derived from eggshell membranes as an authorised novel food. GRN 1194, for partially hydrolyzed eggshell membrane powder notified by ESM Technologies, LLC, closed in February 2025 when FDA ceased to evaluate it at the notifier's request.
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