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Egg-ucation
Eggs are often used seasonally for decorations and games. This information is designed to egg-ucate you on safe handling procedures to reduce the chance of illness associated with eggs.
Because raw eggs may have Salmonella or other bacteria, you will need to work with eggs carefully. Wash your hands with warm water and soap before handling eggs and at every step of egg preparation (including cooking, dyeing, and hiding). Read our online brochures:
General Egg Tips
Top FAEQ Frequently Asked Egg QuestionsTop How do I hard cook eggs?This method (from the American Egg Board) should produce eggs that have fully-cooked yolks. Eggs prepared this way also often have less of a green tinge (associated with overcooking), fewer cracks and are easier to peel.
Top What does Grade A mean?
Top Why do some eggs float in water?Old eggs float in water because of a large air cell. (The air cell forms as the egg cools after being laid. As the egg ages, air enters the egg and the air cell becomes larger.) To make sure the egg is not spoiled--break it into a clean bowl and check to make sure it doesn't have a bad odor or appearance.Top Why are hard-boiled eggs hard to peel?Hard to peel eggs are probably fresh (with a small air cell). Use eggs that are at least a week old to make peeling easier.Top How long do eggs last?Keep eggs refrigerated to promote quality and safety. Raw eggs can be kept in the refrigerator for 4-5 weeks after purchase. Refrigerated hard-boiled eggs should be eaten within 7 days.Top Why do hard-boiled eggs spoil faster than raw eggs?A hen puts a protective coating (called the bloom) on the egg as she lays it. The bloom keeps contaminants from entering pores in the shell (eggshells have up to 17,000 pores). Processing plants wash the eggs and coat them with mineral oil to replace the bloom. This protective coating is removed when you wash or boil the egg.Top What's in the yolk?
Top What's in the white (albumen)?
Top Can I use cracked eggs?The shell is the egg's first defense against contamination. Do not buy or eat eggs with cracked shells. If you crack the shell, either prepare the egg or break it into a clean container and refrigerate it. Use within 2 days.Top What about all the different colors?
Top What about Salmonella?Salmonella bacteria are commonly found in animals, especially birds and reptiles. Eggs can have Salmonella both inside the egg (usually in the yolk) and on the outside of the shell. In humans, Salmonella can cause illness (salmonellosis) within 12-72 hours after eating the contaminated food (or trace amounts of feces of the infected animals).Symptoms of salmonellosis include:
Severity of illness depends on the person's health and the number of bacteria ingested. Salmonellosis usually goes away within 7 days, but a small number of severe cases may cause lasting injury (including joint pain and arthritis) or death. If you have symptoms, see a doctor. No one should eat undercooked eggs, but there are people more likely to get sick. These people include:
Top Recipes With Undercooked EggsThese foods are commonly or traditionally prepared with raw or undercooked eggs.
To reduce the risk of illness, prepare these dishes with pasteurized eggs (eggs in the shell can be pasteurized--but they're not available in all parts of the country), pasteurized egg products, or heat the egg mixtures to 160°F before eating. To prevent salmonellosis:
Top Easter Egg TipsAt all times: Work with the eggs carefully to prevent cracking the shells. (If the shells crack, bacteria can get inside the eggs--they should not be decorated, hidden or eaten.)Dyeing eggs: Refrigerate before dyeing. If the eggs will be eaten, be sure to use a food-safe dye. Boiling the eggs kills the Salmonella bacteria that can cause illness, but will not keep the eggs from spoiling. To prevent re-contamination and to slow spoilage, keep the eggs refrigerated, dry and in a clean container (don't put them back in the original egg carton). Hiding eggs: Eggs must be protected from sources of contamination (like dirt, pets, and water) and from heat (like sunny spots). A safer option would be to keep edible eggs refrigerated and hide inedible, plastic eggs for the hunt. Top Where can I get more information?Benton-Franklin Health District, Environmental Health Division7102 W Okanogan Pl.Kennewick, WA 99336 (509) 460 4200 www.bfhd.wa.gov Information from Washington State Department of HealthSalmonellosisEgg Information
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About the BFHD 
Benton Franklin Health District