For some foods – like fruits or vegetables – it is obvious that they need to be washed before consuming them. But what about eggs? Here is the answer from Dr. Bryan Quoc Le, American scientist, expert in food safety, in an article for
Well & Good.
Store-bought eggs do not need to be washed
According to this expert, commercial eggs – like other foodstuffs – do not need to be washed. For what ? Quite simply because they already are. “Usually in commercial washing facilities they use sterilizing agents to wash the eggs.”
he explains. The eggs are therefore sterilized; washing them a second time at home would be counterproductive.
What about farm eggs?
What should you do if you buy your eggs from a farm or have your own chicken coop? “Unlike store-bought or grocery store eggs, farm-fresh eggs have a protective coating that allows them to stay at room temperature for several weeks.”
indicates the specialist. “Washing them removes the cuticle, a protective covering from the egg, making it susceptible to spoilage. So if you wash your eggs, you need to refrigerate them” he adds again.
How to properly wash your farm eggs?
Dr. Quoc Le recommends using lukewarm water to thoroughly wash your farm-fresh eggs. As for their conservation, it must therefore be done in the refrigerator. “Farm fresh eggs can last up to a month, provided there are no cracks in the shell.”
he recommends.
If it shows any damage, he advises discarding the egg and cleaning up any spills to avoid cross-contamination of bacteria.
And generally speaking, even if there are no cracks, he recommends keeping eggs away from other foods in your fridge. “Making sure they don’t touch other foods is really essential as they can transfer Salmonella, if in contact. So just make sure there is distance between them or physical separation.” he concludes.