Expired Eggs How To Tell If Eggs Are Bad And Do Eggs Expire

Eating expired eggs puts you at risk for food poisoning, so you'll want to inspect your carton before and after cracking one.

Image Credit: SEE D JAN/iStock/GettyImages You can buy a carton of eggs just about anywhere, including the supermarket, health food store, convenience store or gas station. And it’s no surprise, considering they make an excellent source of inexpensive protein.

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 As with most protein sources, though, eggs can spoil, increasing your risk of developing food poisoning.

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  To avoid these symptoms (and frequent trips to the bathroom), read on to learn more about the safest way to handle and prepare your favorite egg dishes.

How to Tell if Eggs Are Bad If you crack an egg and think it may be spoiled, the first thing to do is give the bowl a sniff. Generally, rotten eggs (whether cooked or raw) will give off an undeniable odor, signifying they’re no good to eat, according to the Egg Safety Center.

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 Taking notice of the egg coloring can also help you discern whether your eggs are OK to eat. Another common egg bacteria is Pseudomonas, which can cause the egg white to appear pink, green or iridescent. If you come across a funky-looking raw egg, throw it out.

Sometimes, you may even come across an egg that has black or green spots, which means it may be growing fungus. In this case, you’ll want to toss the egg and thoroughly wash your bowl and hands.

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 When it comes to rotten eggs, you're better off safe than sorry. So, if you're skeptical or unsure of how fresh your eggs may be, toss them in the trash and buy a new carton.

Bad Eggs and Food Poisoning Eating mishandled or expired eggs puts you at a higher risk for Salmonella-induced food poisoning — which is no walk in the park.

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 A group of bacteria, Salmonella, is often responsible for food poisoning cases in the United States, according to the FDA.

Some people may develop symptoms of food poisoning just hours after eating the affected food, whereas others may take up to six days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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 Salmonella infection can cause some unfavorable symptoms, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps, according to the FDA. Typically, food poisoning only lasts a few days and doesn't require medical assistance.

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 But in some cases, severe vomiting and diarrhea (several times a days for several days) can cause dehydration, requiring hospitalization. If your symptoms persist beyond two days, it's probably best to see a doctor to rule out any other issues and risks.

But if you handle and prepare your eggs properly, you can decrease your risk of ingesting any of this unwanted bacteria (more on that below).

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 When to Call Your Doctor

If your diarrhea doesn’t improve after two days If your vomiting persists after two days If you’re experiencing lack of urination, excessive thirst or lightheadedness If your fever reaches over 102 degrees If you have bloody stool

How to Buy Fresh Eggs The safety of your eggs starts with the decisions you make in the grocery store. Whether you buy standard, free-range, organic or pasture-raised eggs is up to personal preference. But, there are things to watch out for. Although it may seem like a no-brainer, you should only buy eggs if they’re sold out of and stored in a refrigerator or refrigerated box, recommends the FDA. Then, before you add a carton to your cart, take a look at each egg, making sure that the eggs are clean and free of cracks.

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 You can also check the carton for a "sell by" date, however, egg processors aren't actually required to print and expiration date, according to the Egg Safety Center. However, cartons must carry a label that tells consumers what month, day and year the eggs were packed.

How Long Eggs Last As long as the eggs were stored in a fridge that’s 40 degrees or cooler, they can be safe for up to three weeks past when you purchased them, according to the FDA. Prepping Eggs Properly Before and after you handle raw eggs, you want to wash your hands, utensils and work surfaces with hot, soapy water, recommends the FDA.

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 Once you're done using the carton, toss the shells and put your eggs back in the fridge immediately.

Whether you take your eggs scrambled, poached or in an omelet, it’s safest that you cook the egg until both the whites and yolks are firm, per the FDA. However, if you like a runny yolk, buy eggs that have been pasteurized or otherwise treated to destroy Salmonella. Serve egg dishes immediately after they’re finished cooking and avoid leaving cooked eggs or dishes out of the fridge for longer than two hours. The longer eggs stay out in warm temperatures, the more subject they are to bacteria. Related Reading Eggs Are One of the Most Nutrient-Dense Proteins — Here Are 9 Recipes You Haven’t Made Yet If you’re making deviled eggs for a later time, for instance, refrigerate the eggs immediately after preparation and serve them on small plates so they don’t sit out. Or, if you’re packing hard-boiled eggs for lunch, make sure to transport them with an ice pack or in a cooler, the FDA suggests.

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  references
  
      FDA: "What You Need to Know About Egg Safety"
    
      Egg Safety Center: "Is the Internal Appearance of Eggs Related to Egg Safety?"
    
      CDC: "Salmonella and Eggs"
       




  references
  
      FDA: "What You Need to Know About Egg Safety"
    
      Egg Safety Center: "Is the Internal Appearance of Eggs Related to Egg Safety?"
    
      CDC: "Salmonella and Eggs"
    




Eating expired eggs puts you at risk for food poisoning, so you'll want to inspect your carton before and after cracking one.

Image Credit: SEE D JAN/iStock/GettyImages

As long as the eggs were stored in a fridge that’s 40 degrees or cooler, they can be safe for up to three weeks past when you purchased them, according to the FDA.

Eggs Are One of the Most Nutrient-Dense Proteins — Here Are 9 Recipes You Haven’t Made Yet

      FDA: "What You Need to Know About Egg Safety"
    
      Egg Safety Center: "Is the Internal Appearance of Eggs Related to Egg Safety?"
    
      CDC: "Salmonella and Eggs"