In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleCheck the Packing DateDo a Float TestShould I Shake It?Crack It OpenWhat If I Eat a Bad Egg?Proper Storage
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
Check the Packing Date
Do a Float Test
Should I Shake It?
Crack It Open
What If I Eat a Bad Egg?
Proper Storage
Is It Safe to Eat Expired Eggs?
Check the Packing Date, Not the Expiration or Sell-By Dates
Getty Images / Tanja Ivanova
If you can’t find the Julian date or it’s smeared beyond readability, a float test may be the way to go. Eggshells are porous (air can easily penetrate them), which means the older the egg, the more air inside it. After enough time has passed, the egg will have enough air inside to make it float.
To conduct a float test, fill a bowl or cup with water (it should be big enough to fully submerge your egg). Gently place your egg inside and see if it sinks or floats. If it floats, it’s old and you may want to toss it. But, the USDA’sFood Safety and Inspection Servicesays an old egg “may be perfectly safe to use. Crack the egg into a bowl and examine it for an off-odor or unusual appearance before deciding to use or discard it. A spoiled egg will have an unpleasant odor when you break open the shell, either when raw or cooked.”
If the egg sinks and stands up, then it’s not very fresh but still safe to eat. If it sinks and falls to its side, then the egg is at its prime.
Is It Safe to Eat Eggs, Chicken or Dairy During the Bird Flu Outbreak?
The most accurate way of testing whether your eggs have gone bad is to crack them open. If the yolk or white has any discoloration, the egg is no good. Discoloration is an indication of bacterial growth. If your eggs look good but have an off or sulfuric smell to them, they are bad. Compost them.
According to food writer and Culinary Institute of America-trained cookSean Kenniff, “A fresh egg should have a bright yellow or orange yolk that is more rounded than flat. The yolk should sit high on the inner albumen (that’s the thicker part of the white directly surrounding the yolk), and the inner albumen itself should not spread too much from the yolk and be relatively thick. The thinner outer albumen should not spread too far from the inner albumen. And there should be no off smells or colors.”
In the unlikely event that you happen to eat a bad egg, you may be at risk for foodborne illnesses such assalmonella.Food poisoningmay cause you to have a fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. For most people, symptoms go away within a few days; however, serious illness and hospitalization can follow. Best to avoid eating a bad egg if possible.
How to Properly Store Eggs
Eggs have a long shelf life as long as they’re refrigerated properly. Instead of storing your eggs on theinside of the fridge door, place them in the coldest part of your fridge, which is usually the middle or bottom shelf. The door is actually the warmest part of your fridge because it gets exposed to ambient temperature every time you open it.
Keep your eggs in the carton. The carton protects and insulates the eggs from breaking and absorbing excess air. For your eggs to last as long as possible, FSIS recommends keeping the temperature of your fridge at 45°F and lower. And don’t leave your eggs out! According to FSIS, “Discard all perishable foods such as meat, poultry, eggs and casseroles, left at room temperature longer than 2 hours; 1 hour in temperatures above 90°F.”
Is It Safe to Eat Raw Eggs?
The Bottom Line
As long as they’ve been stored properly, eggs can keep for four to five weeks after they’ve been packed. Make sure to store your eggs in the coldest part of your fridge and in the carton they came in. If you’re ever in doubt, perform one of the tests (float it or crack it, don’t shake it) to determine whether your eggs should be used or tossed.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
