Is it ok to eat expired eggs?
Quick Answer
No
It’s not safe to eat expired eggs. The risk of food poisoning from consuming expired eggs is high, especially if they are significantly past their expiration date.
What Is It?
Expired eggs are eggs that have passed their ‘best before’ or ‘sell by’ date marked on the carton. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are unsafe to eat, but the quality and safety may have diminished.
How to Tell
Signs of bad eggs include a foul or off smell, a change in egg white or yolk color to pink, green, or black, and a thin or watery egg white.
Why It Can Be Risky
Eating expired eggs can lead to food poisoning, caused by bacteria like Salmonella or E.coli.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Abdominal cramps
Safe Method?
To test if an egg is still good, perform the water test. Fill a bowl with water and gently place the egg in the bowl. If it sinks, it’s still fresh. If it floats, it’s no longer good to eat.
Can You Just Cut It Off?
Eggs are generally safe to eat for 3-5 weeks past the ‘sell by’ date if stored properly in the refrigerator.
Safe Alternatives
If you’re out of eggs, alternatives can include applesauce, mashed bananas, yogurt, or commercial egg replacers in baking.
Storage Tips
Store eggs in their original carton in the refrigerator.’, “Don’t wash eggs until you’re ready to use them as it can remove the protective coating.”, ‘Keep eggs away from strong-smelling foods as they can absorb odors.