Can eggs cause botulism?

[Josie]

I left out some store bought eggs for a recipe that called for room temp eggs.
I cracked one, then stuck my thumbs in it to open it up. When I did that a bit of the egg white shot out about two inches.

Was this just a fluke or more sinister?

 

[silkiechicken]

Probably just telling you that it didn't want to be cracked so it spashed at you. Eggs at room temp will be a bit liquidier than refrigerated. As long as the egg you set out had no cracks initially, it should be sterile inside.

 

[kstaven]

It happens all the time with fresh eggs. The membrane stretches and then breaks suddenly. Pressure from your fingers increased pressure inside the egg and it popped.

The egg would have to be rotting to get botulism.

 

[greyfields]

Eggs are sold un-refrigerated in the UK. It freaked me out at first and went against my every sense. But, over the years, I haven't died yet and I believe the population in England isn't in decline due to egg poisoning.

 

[Tutter]

I'm sure it was fine, too. But would like to add that eggs, especially older eggs, can have bacterial growth.

While this may not affect most people, there's a chance of it being a problem for small children, elderly people, and people with compromised immune systems.

Proper cooking is good precaution for people in the above groups. (I wouldn't make them a non-cooked mayonnaise, for example.)

Did the recipe come out well?

 

[Josie]

Thanks for the answers. I had a very scary nutrition class, and now I see and hear botulism everywhere!

I made a 16X16 pan of chocolate sour-cream cake, my favorite cake recipe!

 

[Tutter]

Ooooo, that sounds delicious!