Determining whether an egg is fresh or not is not always easy. Eggs are enclosed in protective shells, so it is difficult to judge their freshness by appearance alone. However, several methods can help you recognize whether an egg is still good for consumption or whether it has already passed its harvest.
It is an unfortunate reality that food waste, including wasted eggs, contributes significantly to the piles of discarded items each year. In France and the UK, millions of eggs end up in the trash, often because people have trouble determining their freshness after their use-by date.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the different ways to determine egg freshness. From checking the use-by date to visual checks and smell tests, these methods will help you gauge whether an egg is still edible or better left untouched.
Let’s dive into these strategies and insights that can help you make informed decisions about eggs in your kitchen, ultimately reducing unnecessary waste while ensuring food safety.
Every year in France, around 10 million tons of food end up in the garbage.
When food reaches its expiration date, people often decide to throw it away.
While the amount of eggs wasted in France is unclear, British media reports 720 million eggs are thrown into the bin in the UK each year, according to the Guardian, which cites the efforts of the anti-waste group Too Good to Go.
The primary cause of this waste is that 77% of Brits find it difficult to tell if an egg is still fresh after its use-by date has passed.
Want to make brunch but not sure about the shelf life of your eggs? Keep calm.
There are methods to determine whether or not they are consumable:
Check the expiration dates.
Every egg you buy at the grocery store has a best-before date printed on the package.
In addition, as stated on the Femme Actuelle website, French regulations prohibit the distributor from selling eggs seven days before the date of minimum durability (Ddm) shown on the carton.
But there is no indication of a recommended use-by date if you are hoarding eggs from the hen house. It is important to note that the expiration date (DIc) is no longer than 28 days from the day of laying.
If the eggshells are intact and not cracked or broken, they can be refrigerated for up to one month from the suggested use-by date, which is 58 days after the day they were laid.
Storing food under ideal conditions can actively prevent food waste, prevent mold, and preserve freshness.
Adherence to the cold chain and deadlines is necessary to prevent the growth of pathogenic organisms that could be harmful to human health. As a result, storing eggs in the refrigerator inhibits bacterial growth and preserves their flavor and nutritional value.
Washing eggs that are not going to be eaten right away is absolutely not a good idea because the protective coating the hen puts on them could come off. However, if the dates aren’t printed on the box, you’ll need to find alternative ways to determine when they expire.
2. Inhale the scent of the egg
Eggs, like fresh goods such as cheeses, pastries, crème fraîche, or even yogurts, can smell a little after the expiration date.
So start by smelling the egg if you see that its expiration date has already passed and you want to keep the product for later. Food that has gone bad often smells and should not be eaten. They may taste different and have lost vitamins.
In addition, perishable foods can be harmful to your health due to their short shelf life if the expiration date is not observed. Expired raw or boiled eggs may have a peculiar smell.
According to certified nutritionist Taylor Jones, you can crack an egg into a bowl or salad bowl and smell it if you can’t interpret the label or if the smell alone doesn’t tell you anything. Additionally, discard the eggs and wash the container with hot water if the smell bothers you.
If you think the smell is normal, you should eat the egg right away, like you would an omelet.
3. Examine what the shell looks like.
You can easily tell by eye whether an egg is edible or expired.
It is best to visually inspect the product before consuming it to minimize risk. The expert says it’s important to make sure the shell isn’t broken, sticky, or powdery.
Any suspicious appearance can be a sign of mold growth. If the shell is dry and looks in good condition, crack the egg into a bowl and look for any unusual discoloration.
The egg white or yolk is usually blue, pink, black, or green in color. In fact, it may indicate the development of microorganisms causing food poisoning.
According to gastroenterologist Dr. Julie Roux was confirmed to have Salmonella germs are present in eggs, dairy products, and preparations made from raw or undercooked eggs.
Salmonellosis, an infection that results in symptoms including fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and even stomach upset, can be caused by these microorganisms.
Additionally, if the egg white or yolk is leaking, it may be an older egg that has not reached its expiration date.
4. Immerse the egg in the water.
LCI says there is another method that works well to determine if an egg is still edible.
To do this, you need to immerse the egg in water in a salad bowl or pot. It is still safe to eat even if it sinks to the bottom of the container.
However, if it remains upright, it must be consumed immediately. Expires if it surfaces.
In fact, as the egg ages, more moisture escapes through the tiny pores, expanding the air pocket. As a result, the egg floats more the older it is.
However, do not repeat this experiment if you want to eat the egg right away.
As a result of this descent, the cuticle of the shell can peel off. However, the latter protects the egg from bacteria such as salmonella.
5. Use the Mirage method
Translumination is a method used to evaluate the quality of the egg or the growth of the young in a fertilized egg.
Table eggs can be categorized prior to labeling and packaging using this method, which is often used in an industrial setting with specialized equipment.
However, you can still use this approach at home if you want. You will need a cool and dark room for this.
Have a light source such as a small flashlight or candle. Tilt the egg and rotate it from left to right while holding the light source near the end of the egg. The contents of the egg should be visible.
Using this technique, you can determine the size of the air bubble. Water evaporates and is replaced by gases as the egg ages. The egg ages more due to the expanding air pocket.
Is the food still edible after the use-by date?
Certain items can be eaten up to a few days after the expiration date indicated on the package. On the other hand, there are health concerns associated with eating raw seafood, eggs, or even stale meat.
Although we are all against food waste, we need to carefully check the packaging of the goods we buy in supermarkets to make sure they are safe to eat. In fact, using a perishable product after its expiration date puts you at risk for a number of illnesses.
Following the example of our colleagues at Femme Actuelle, the following is a list of foods suitable for consumption after the expiry date:
non-perishable foods:
Some items like real honey (which has numerous health benefits), salt, sugar, or vinegar can be stored indefinitely and will never go bad.
Foods that, with rare exceptions, never spoil:
Foods such as dried vegetables, rice, pasta, cornstarch, flour, and canned food can remain fresh even after the expiration date on the package. However, these goods could spoil or be attacked by food moths.
Food that is still edible after the expiration date
Condiments, pickles, ketchup, and mustard can be stored and consumed long after their use-by date. It is possible that the shelf life of these foods has passed. However, their preferences may change over time.
Dairy products including crème fraîche, cheese, milk, and yogurt are among other foods that can be consumed after their use-by date. These can be consumed one to two weeks after the stated date, as long as they are not opened.
Check the packaging to determine its quality. If swelling occurs, we recommend discarding the products as this could mean the development of harmful bacteria. A strong, sour smell can also be a sign that they have gone bad.
In addition, if the cold chain is maintained, frozen goods can be consumed after the date indicated on the box. When properly stored, raw fish can be stored for up to nine months after the expiration date. The one-year period applies to fruit, vegetables, and poultry. However, frozen foods do not store as well as packaged goods.
Foods that you should definitely not eat after the use-by date
Certain foods are more susceptible to harboring bacteria. This applies to sausages and eggs, fish, and raw foods that have been vacuum-packed.
Therefore, you must strictly follow the expiration date on these foods to protect your health and prevent possible food contamination.
In addition, if the packaging swells, it can mean that the food is increasingly contaminated with bacteria such as salmonella, listeria, or Escherichia coli. These bacteria-contaminated products also have a gelatinous appearance and an unpleasant odor when you open them.
In addition, raw milk cheeses and fresh fruit juices can have bacteria if the expiration date is ignored. And for good reason—fresh cheeses are prone to bacterial growth, so it’s important to watch out for any unusual color or odor.
Finally, bagged salads can be bacterial. In this regard, it is essential to respect the expiration date printed on the box.
Determining the freshness of eggs can be difficult due to their protective shell, but several methods can help judge their quality. By observing expiration dates, performing visual inspections, checking for unusual odors, and performing immersion tests, one can determine whether eggs are safe to eat.
The alarming rate of food waste, especially with eggs, points to the need for better education in identifying spoiled and fresh items. In France and the UK, millions of eggs are thrown away each year, mainly due to difficulties in measuring freshness.
Understanding expiration dates, the importance of proper storage, and simple tests to assess egg quality can greatly reduce food waste. In addition, knowing which foods remain safe after the expiration date and which are not safe to eat can help make informed decisions about food safety.
While some foods can be eaten past their expiration date, others pose health risks if not discarded quickly. Proper handling and awareness of signs of spoilage are essential to prevent potential illness from consuming expired or contaminated produce.
Overall, vigilance in assessing food freshness, observing expiration dates, and understanding storage guidelines are key to reducing food waste and ensuring food safety.