How to Tell If Your Eggs Have Gone Bad
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Medically reviewed by Kayla Girgen, RD
Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse packed with important nutrients like protein, vitamin B12, and choline. Most of the fat in eggs is unsaturated, good-for-you fat that supports heart health. Plus, according to the American Heart Association, healthy people can include eggs in a heart-healthy diet. A carotenoid found in eggs, called lutein, may be linked to eye health benefits, specifically having data linking intake to a reduced risk of macular degeneration.
But unlike many other foods, it can be hard to know when eggs have gone bad. Knowing if your eggs are no longer safe to eat can be an important step in preventing foodborne illness.
Consuming spoiled eggs can lead to symptoms of food poisoning, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. In severe cases, it can even result in hospitalization or long-term health issues. Therefore, it's essential to understand the signs of spoilage—like an off smell, discoloration, or a strange texture—to ensure the food you consume is safe.
“When properly handled and stored, eggs rarely spoil, but the quality does degrade over time,” Elisa Maloberti, food safety manager with the American Egg Board, told Health. “As an egg ages, the white becomes thinner, the yolk becomes flatter and the yolk membrane weakens. Although these changes may affect appearance, they don’t indicate spoilage and don’t have any great effect on the nutritional quality of the egg or its functions in recipes. Rather than spoiling, if you keep eggs long enough, they’re more likely to simply dry up due to natural gas and moisture exchange through the shell pores.”
If you are wondering if your eggs have gone bad, here are five things you can look for.
1. Smell Your Eggs
One method to check the freshness of an egg is the smell test. Crack the egg open onto a clean, white plate, being careful to keep the yolk intact. Take a moment to smell the egg. Fresh eggs have a subtle smell that's hardly noticeable. If the egg emits a strong, unpleasant odor, it is a clear indication that it has spoiled and should not be used for consumption.
This test is useful because it allows you to examine the egg's contents directly, ensuring there are no internal signs of spoilage.
2. Look At Your Eggs
The visual inspection method can be employed to determine egg freshness. Before cracking an egg, examine its shell carefully for any signs of cracks, sliminess, or powdery residues. These can all indicate bacterial growth or that the egg has been compromised in some way.
After cracking the egg, inspect the egg white and yolk. Fresh eggs will have a vibrant yolk and a thick, cloudy white that stays close to the yolk. If the yolk appears flat and the white is thin and watery, it's a sign that the egg is old and may not be safe to consume.
3. Check The Expiration Date
In addition to these hands-on testing methods, a simple yet effective way to determine if eggs have gone bad is by checking the expiration date provided on the packaging. Most egg cartons come with a "sell-by" or "expiration" date that can serve as a guideline for consumption. While eggs can often remain fresh for a short period beyond this date, it serves as a useful first check.
It's important to remember that this date is not the only indicator of freshness but when used in conjunction with the methods described above, it can help ensure the eggs you consume are safe and fresh.
4. Perform a Water Test
Anecdotally, a water test can determine if your eggs have gone bad. Fill a bowl with cold water and gently place your eggs in it. Proponents claim that fresh eggs will sink to the bottom and lay flat on their sides, indicating they are safe to eat. Eggs that float to the surface, however, have most likely gone bad and should not be consumed.
Maloberti noted that “every egg has an air cell. It is just under the shell, typically on the large end of the egg, formed as the inner and outer membranes separate shortly after the egg is laid." According to Maloberti, “It is not true that freshness can be judged by placing an egg in plain water.”
5. Check The Sliminess Of Your Eggs
One of the unmistakable signs that an egg has gone bad is the presence of sliminess. ”A slimy feel can indicate bacterial growth, and, regardless of color, powdery spots that come off on your hand may indicate mold,” Malobreti said.
When you crack an egg open, pay close attention to the consistency of the white and the yolk. A fresh egg will have a firm yolk and a thick, gel-like white. If, instead, you find the yolk is easily broken, or the white appears thin and slippery, extending to a slimy feel, this is a clear indication of spoilage. Additionally, if any part of the egg feels sticky or tacky to the touch, may be a sign that bacteria have begun to grow, making the egg unsafe to eat.
How Long Do Eggs Last?
Eggs have a longer shelf life than many other perishable items, but exactly how long they remain fresh can vary. Typically, eggs can last about three to five weeks in the refrigerator. This time frame starts from the packing date, not necessarily from the purchase date. It's essential to store your eggs in the coldest part of the refrigerator, usually on a shelf and not in the door, to maintain their freshness for as long as possible.
Keeping eggs in airtight containers or the original carton can also help protect eggs from absorbing strong odors and flavors from other foods in the refrigerator. It's worth noting that hard-boiled eggs have a shorter shelf life than raw eggs, typically lasting about one week if kept properly refrigerated and in a covered container.
“As long as they are they are kept properly refrigerated (at 45 °F or lower), fresh shell eggs are safe to be used in a recipe four to five weeks beyond the carton’s Julian date (the date the eggs were packed in the carton expressed as consecutive numbered days of the year),” says Malobreti. The Julian date is usually found on the short side of the carton and represents the consecutive days of the year with the number 001 as January 1 and December 31 as 365, she explained.
What To Do If You Eat a Bad Egg
If you accidentally consume a spoiled egg, there are several signs to watch for that may indicate food poisoning. Symptoms can include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Headache.
These symptoms can appear anywhere from a few hours to several days after eating contaminated food. At home, it’s important to stay hydrated, especially if experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. Drink plenty of water and try to rest. Over-the-counter (OTC) remedies may help ease some of the symptoms, but it's crucial not to overuse them without medical advice.
In cases where symptoms are severe or persistent, lasting more than 24 hours, or if you have a high fever, blood in your stool, signs of dehydration, or prolonged vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down, seek medical care promptly. Foodborne illness can be serious, and in certain cases, medical intervention may be necessary to prevent more severe health consequences. Remember, when in doubt, it's always safer to consult a healthcare professional.
A Quick Review
Determining the freshness of eggs before use is crucial to avoid the unpleasant consequences of consuming spoiled eggs. By employing simple methods such as inspecting the eggshell for cracks or unusual textures, you can easily assess its freshness. These practices, rooted in both science and everyday wisdom, ensure that your culinary experiences remain both safe and enjoyable.
When in doubt, it's better to err on the side of caution and dispose of any eggs that raise suspicions.
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