Eggs are a kitchen staple, even in households that don’t like omelets or similar “egg-y” dishes. They are a basic ingredient in many baked goods because of their binding and rising abilities. You won’t taste them in a muffin or cake, but you’ll definitely notice their effect on the texture and soft texture. Eggs are also used in delicious recipes, such as many versions of meatballs or breaded chicken. Unless they are deliberately avoided, people enjoy eggs for their taste, flexibility, accessibility, and nutritional value. However, proper handling and maintenance is necessary to get the most out of the box. Which raises the question: Should you wash eggs before storing or using them? The answer depends on where they come from.
Commercial Eggs and Salmonella Risk
One of the main reasons for washing eggs is to prevent contamination Salmonella bacteria. People who get it Salmonella the illness usually has abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting for about a week. In rare cases, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and become a health hazard, warns Food Safety. After the eggs are laid, they may come in contact with bird droppings and attract bacteria to their shells. Fortunately, production companies are required to wash eggs before sending them to store shelves. For this reason, it is not necessary to wash eggs bought at the grocery store.
Disease outbreaks can occur if a farm or packinghouse has poor sanitation practices. However, washing commercial eggs as a precaution can increase the risk of infection. According to the USDA, “bath water can be ‘absorbed’ into the egg through the pores in the shell.” Therefore, commercial egg processors in the US can only use FDA-approved compounds and temperatures that prevent liquid from entering the egg.
What About Countries Outside the US?
However, the commercial washing process is not used in many other countries. Americans visiting Europe may be shocked to see cartons of eggs stored on the counter. This is because these countries use a different distribution method. When the eggs are laid, they have a natural hole in the shell. Known as “Bloom” or “cuticle,” this layer protects the egg from bacteria while allowing oxygen to circulate. This bloom keeps the egg shelf stable. In American facilities, this layer is washed, so the eggs need to be refrigerated to avoid temperature fluctuations that could lead to bacterial breeding.
In many other countries, standard production preserves the cuticle and distributes the eggs to consumers immediately. The emphasis is fast. “In general, clean, unwashed, unrefrigerated eggs have a shorter shelf life than washed, refrigerated,” said microbiologist Ada Hagan, PhD, to Business Insider. This also applies to unwashed US eggs that come straight from the farm or backyard chickens. They usually last for up to two weeks. You can choose to refrigerate these eggs to extend their shelf life, but once they’re done, they can’t go back on the counter. If the eggs are cold, they should stay cold,” said Hagan.
How to Wash Fresh Eggs
Lisa Steele, a fifth generation chicken farmer from the US, explains how she cleans the eggs of her newly laid chickens. “You want the water to be warmer than the egg so it doesn’t absorb bacteria, and you want to do it under running water. You don’t want to put them in a bowl of water and start washing them. It should be running water so they don’t live in dirty water,” says Successful Agriculture. Lightly dab the dirt with your fingers or a soft sponge. Use unscented soap if needed. Then dry with a soft cloth and refrigerate.
The Center for Food Security and Public Health (CFSPH) recommends cleaning eggs after washing them. First, make a solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Next, soak each egg in the solution before cleaning. Finally, dry them with a towel and put them in the refrigerator. “Personally, I don’t wash my eggs until they are almost ready to eat,” Steele said. This allows the cuticle to protect the egg and keep it protected until it is used. He added that cleaning the nesting boxes regularly is one of the best ways to ensure that the eggs are clean. Also, collect eggs regularly to minimize the time they may come into contact with feces and other contaminants. If you want to keep the eggs on the counter, gently wipe away the dirt with a dry brush or soft cloth. This dry cleaning removes any debris while keeping the bloom intact.
How to Safely Handle Fresh Eggs
When asked about how to protect against harmful bacteria, CFSPH said: “After cleaning or disinfecting eggs, be sure to clean all surfaces. After handling your eggs, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. Safe cooking methods prevent bacteria, such as Salmonella, from developing in your eggs. Make sure you cook the eggs until 160°F or until they are firm. Remember, Salmonella doesn’t just infect eggs by getting into the shells. Sick hens can lay eggs and internal bacteria. That’s why it’s recommended to make sure the eggs are fully cooked and avoid eating cookie dough and other foods that contain raw eggs.
Read more: Families Advised to Hang Broken Eggshells in the Garden for an Obvious Reason
