The Egg Research and Consumer Information Act of 1974 authorized a national egg research and promotion program that is both industry-operated and funded, with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The act allows the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a board of egg producers or representatives of producers.

The American Egg Board is responsible for developing a program to enable egg producers to establish, finance, and carry out a coordinated program of research, producer and consumer education, and promotion to improve, maintain, and develop markets for eggs, egg products, spent fowl, and products of spent fowl. The program is subject to the approval of the Secretary and by a two-thirds vote of the producers. The program, including USDA administrative costs, is financed through producer assessments.

The program became effective August 1, 1976, when the Egg Research and Promotion Order was implemented.