The UK eats 14.5 billion eggs each year[1], so it’s safe to say they are one of the most popular foods around. And yet, many questions continue to arise around their cooking, storage and safety. With a recent salmonella outbreak being potentially linked to imported eggs, the team at food hygiene and safety training experts High Speed Training answer some of the most frequently asked questions around egg safety.
Can You Eat Raw Eggs?
Dr Richard Anderson, Director of Learning at High Speed Training, said: “Advice on whether you can eat raw eggs or lightly cooked eggs (like those with runny yolks or as used in mayonnaise) has changed over the years, but current guidance from the UK Government is that hens’ eggs with the British Lion stamp on them are safe for everyone to consume, even vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and older people.
“Eggs that come from other birds, such as geese and ducks, are less safe to eat raw as they are more likely to contain Salmonella. These types of eggs should always be cooked thoroughly before eating. The temperature that kills Salmonella in eggs is a cooking time of two minutes at 70 °C (or 30 seconds at 75 °C). This time/temperature combination will normally destroy any harmful Salmonella bacteria and make the eggs safe to eat.”
“Eggs from species other than chickens, such as duck, goose and quail, carry a higher risk of Salmonella and should not be used in raw or lightly cooked dishes. They should always be cooked thoroughly before being served.”
Can You Eat Eggs After the Best Before Date?
Dr Anderson said: “All eggs have a best before date of 28 days after they are laid. After this date has passed, the quality of the eggs will deteriorate, and if any harmful Salmonella bacteria is present, it could start to multiply and cause food poisoning.
“You can eat eggs after the best before date, as the date represents food quality not food safety, but they will no longer be as fresh or at their best. If you are planning to eat eggs past their best before date, ensure you cook them thoroughly to destroy any harmful bacteria and avoid eating them raw or only lightly cooked.
Should You Keep Eggs in the Fridge?
Dr Anderson said: “It’s best to refrigerate eggs, as this helps to extend the shelf-life of the eggs compared to storing them at room temperature. Eggs should be stored in their original box in the middle of your fridge, rather than in the doors, as the temperature is cooler in the middle and will help to preserve the eggs for longer.
“You can store eggs in a pantry cupboard or even on your kitchen countertops, provided that the temperature is cool and consistent. Any large fluctuations in temperature can quickly make eggs deteriorate in quality, which is why it’s recommended that eggs are kept in the fridge instead.”
Can You Freeze Eggs?
Dr Anderson said: “Whether you can freeze eggs or not depends upon their state and whether they’ve been cooked or not. You cannot freeze whole eggs in their shells, for example, as the egg will expand as it freezes, and the shell will crack. Instead, raw eggs can be frozen if they are taken out of their shells and then whisked to blend the yolk and white together – egg yolks frozen on their own can change texture and become rubbery.
“Cooked eggs, such as scrambled eggs or omelettes, technically can be frozen but the freezing/defrosting process is likely to alter their texture. As a general rule, if you freeze cooked eggs, try to use them up within six months.”
Can You Reheat Eggs?
Dr Anderson said: “The answer to this depends on how the egg was cooked in the first place. Reheating eggs will likely alter their texture, particularly if the egg has been fried or scrambled. For other types of eggs, like boiled eggs or omelettes, reheating should be absolutely fine.”
With eggs such a dietary staple across the UK, understanding how to properly store and handle them can significantly reduce the risk of food poisoning while continuing to enjoy eggs as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
For more information, visit High Speed Training’s food hygiene courses and view their resource Hub.
[1] https://www.egginfo.co.uk/egg-facts-and-figures/industry-information/data
