How Can You Tell an Egg Has Gone Bad? (2024)

FAQs

How Can You Tell an Egg Has Gone Bad? ›

The most accurate way of testing whether your eggs have gone bad is to crack them open. If the yolk or white has any discoloration, the egg is no good. Discoloration is an indication of bacterial growth. If your eggs look good but have an off or sulfuric smell to them, they are bad.

While each carton of eggs is marked with an expiration date, if properly stored at 40°F or lower, they should be safe to eat for longer—usually two to three weeks past the expiration date. If you need healthy recipes to use up the eggs in your refrigerator, try one of these delicious egg recipes.

Information. Eggs may be refrigerated three to five weeks from the day they are placed in the refrigerator. The "Sell-By" date will usually expire during that length of time, but the eggs will be perfectly safe to use. Always purchase eggs before the "Sell-By" or EXP (expiration) date on the carton.

Symptoms will typically show up between six and 48 hours after eating a contaminated egg and can last between 4 and 7 days. In most cases, the symptoms go away on their own.

Simply fill a bowl with cold tap water and place your eggs in it. If they sink to the bottom and lay flat on one side, they are fresh and good to eat. A bad egg will float because of the large air cell that forms at its base. Any floating eggs should be thrown out.

If the air pocket becomes large enough, the egg may float. While this method may tell you whether an egg is fresh or old, it doesn't tell whether it is good or bad. An egg can sink and still be bad, while an egg that floats may still be fine to eat.

The main risk of eating bad eggs is Salmonella infection, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. A person can reduce the risk of Salmonella by keeping eggs refrigerated, discarding any with cracked shells, and cooking them thoroughly before eating them.

Look closely at the eggshell. If the shell has a slimy or powdery texture and is cracked, or discolored, it is best to throw it out, as these may be signs of bacteria growth. Eggs that are cracked are exposed to bacteria and are dangerous to consume if they sit for a long time after being cracked.

Can you eat an egg that floats in water? An egg that floats in water is no longer fresh but may still be safe to eat, according to the USDA.2 Crack the egg into a bowl and observe if it has an off-odor or looks discolored or out-of-the ordinary, in which case you should throw it out.

What to do with old eggs? ›

Instructions. Old eggs or rotten eggs are acceptable in composting programs - including your home compost pile. Contact your local recycling coordinator to find out whether your local transfer station offers municipal composting. Or consider starting your own home compost bin for your organic materials!

Is It Safe to Keep Eggs on the Counter Instead of in the Fridge? You can leave eggs from the grocery store that you purchased in the refrigerated section on the counter for two hours. If you are not going to use them within two hours, put them in the fridge until you need them.

An old egg isn't necessarily unsafe to eat, but it might not taste as good as a fresh egg. A rotten egg is one contaminated by common bacteria; it'll give off a putrid, sulfurous smell. In most cases, consuming a rotten egg will cause mild digestive issues, at most, compounded by a few days of cramping.

Carefully lower your eggs into fresh cold water using a spoon (you can do this in the pan if you're about to boil them). If the eggs stay at the bottom they're fresh; if the eggs float, however, they're stale and best avoided.

You can store fresh shell eggs in their cartons in the refrigerator for four to five weeks beyond this date. Plants not under USDA inspection are governed by the state laws where the eggs are packed and/or sold.

If the egg doesn't pass the smell test, it's time to toss it. When cracked, eggs should have a neutral odor—not a distinct smell with sulphuric, gassy, or sour notes. A rotten egg smell is an indisputable sign that your egg isn't safe to eat.

Instructions. Old eggs or rotten eggs are acceptable in composting programs - including your home compost pile. Contact your local recycling coordinator to find out whether your local transfer station offers municipal composting. Or consider starting your own home compost bin for your organic materials!

"As long as the food is stored properly, it should be OK for weeks after the best-by date, but it's always a good idea to look at the food product for signs of mold and smell it to ensure it has not gone rancid," says Ilyse Schapiro MS, RD, CDN.