Eggs are a versatile and nutritious food that many people enjoy. But how do you know if your eggs are still fresh and safe to eat? And what do the dates on the egg cartons mean? In this post, we will answer these questions and give you some tips on how to store and use your eggs properly.
What Do the Dates on Egg Cartons Mean?
Egg cartons often have different types of dates printed on them, such as a “best before” date, a “sell by” date, an “expiration” date, or a “pack date”. These dates are not mandatory and may vary depending on the source and the regulations in your area.
Here is what they mean:
– Best-by date
This is the date by which the eggs will have the best quality and flavor, according to the manufacturer. It is not a safety date, and eggs can still be sold and eaten after this date, as long as they are stored properly and show no signs of spoilage.
– Sell-by date
This is the date by which the eggs should be sold by the retailer. It is also not a safety date, and eggs can still be used after this date, as long as they are stored properly and show no signs of spoilage. The sell-by date can be no more than 30 days after the pack date of the eggs.
– Expiration date
This is another way to label a sell-by date. It is also not a safety date, and eggs can still be used after this date, as long as they are stored properly and show no signs of spoilage.
– Pack date
This is the date when the eggs were processed and packed into the carton. It is displayed as a three-digit number from 1 to 365, corresponding to the days of the year. For example, January 1 is 001, January 2 is 002, December 31 is 365, and so on. This data can help you determine how old the eggs are.
How Long Do Eggs Last After Expiration Date?
According to the USDA, eggs that have been washed and stored in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or lower can last for 3 to 5 weeks after the pack date, or about 2 to 3 weeks after the sell-by date or expiration date.
However, this is only a general guideline, and the actual shelf life of eggs may vary depending on how they are handled, stored, and cooked. Eggs that have been contaminated or stored improperly can spoil and harbor harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, which can cause food poisoning. Therefore, it is important to check your eggs for signs of spoilage before using them, even if they are within the recommended time frame.
How to Tell If Eggs Are Spoiled
There are several ways to tell if your eggs are spoiled or not. Here are some of the most common methods:
Float test
This is a simple way to test the freshness of your eggs. Fill a bowl or glass with cold water and gently place an egg in it. If the eg:
- sinks to the bottom and lies flat on its side, it is fresh and good to use.
- sinks to the bottom but stands on its point, it is still good but getting old and should be used soon.
- floats to the top, it is old and likely spoiled and should be discarded.
Smell test
This is another easy way to check your eggs for spoilage. Crack an egg into a small bowl and sniff it. If the egg:
- smells rotten, sulfurous, or unpleasant, it is spoiled and should be thrown away.
- smells normal, it is safe to use.
Visual test
This is a way to inspect your eggs for any physical signs of spoilage. Look at the eggshell, the egg white, and the egg yolk. If the:
- eggshell is cracked, dirty, or slimy, it is likely contaminated and should be discarded.
- egg white is cloudy, runny, or pinkish, it is spoiled and should be thrown away.
- egg yolk is discolored, flattened, or moldy, it is spoiled and should be tossed.
How to Store Eggs Properly
To keep your eggs fresh and safe for as long as possible, follow these tips:
- After buying eggs, transfer them to the refrigerator immediately.
- Keep packaged eggs in their original packaging in the refrigerator. Do not wash eggs for storage, because this can open the way for microbes to enter through the pores on the shell and contaminate the inside.
- The best temperature for storing eggs in the refrigerator is 0°C to 4°C and 85% humidity. Excessive heat accelerates the deterioration of egg quality, which includes mixing the yolk and white.
- Eggs have many pores on their shell surface and absorb the smell of other foods through them. It is better to buy eggs in packaged form and keep them in the refrigerator to prevent this.
- Fresh eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for about four weeks, and for this purpose, eggs must also have an appropriate expiration date like all other foods.
- Storing eggs for one day at room temperature is equivalent to storing them for one week in the refrigerator.
- Eggs should be stored in their own special packaging and on the shelves of the refrigerator because the refrigerator door is not a suitable place to store eggs and has significant temperature fluctuations. Cooked eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- To store eggs, the wide part should be placed upwards, because this can prevent the yolk and white from mixing.
- Food containing eggs should be stored in the refrigerator (less than 10°C) or in a warm place with a temperature above 60°C. Food containing eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of four days and must be heated to a temperature of 70°C before being consumed again.
Here are some tips on how to use eggs:
- Poaching eggs is one of the best ways to cook eggs, as it preserves the nutrients and flavor.
- Avoid consuming raw eggs because of the risk of food poisoning.
- Break poached eggs separately and discard them if you notice any signs of spoilage.
- Blood spots inside the egg indicate the presence of a germinal disc and embryo growth, which is not safe for consumption.
- The green ring around the yolk of a poached egg indicates overcooking and is caused by the combination of sulfur and iron present in the yolk. This color also appears when the egg is boiled in water containing high levels of iron or when the egg is overcooked or exposed to heat for a long time. Consuming this discolored part of the egg is not harmful to health.
- Another sign of freshness in a poached egg is that the shell of a fresh egg is difficult to peel off when compared to an old egg. Additionally, the yolk of a fresh egg is located in the center of the white, while in an old egg, the yolk is located next to the shell
Conclusion
Eggs are a delicious and nutritious food that can last for a long time if stored and handled properly. However, eggs can also spoil and become unsafe to eat if they are contaminated or stored improperly. Therefore, it is important to know how to read the dates on egg cartons, how to check your eggs for signs of spoilage, and how to store and cook your eggs properly. By following these tips, you can enjoy your eggs safely and avoid wasting food.
