Egg safety question

[NwChickOwner]

A family member collected eggs yesterday and left the basket outside, overnight. The night’s are in the 30-40s and very misty. Are these eggs still safe or is there a risk that the cold damp air pulled bacteria into the eggs?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They should be safe as long as they haven't cracked from freezing.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Are the eggs cracked at all?
If not they’re probably fine, but cook them before you eat them, obviously!

 

[WingItRanch]

If you think they got wet and there's a possibility of the bloom being compromised, just place them in the fridge instead of the counter and they'll be perfectly fine! If you had said it was a hot summer night, I'd be hesitant.

 

[NwChickOwner]

w

If you think they got wet and there's a possibility of the bloom being compromised, just place them in the fridge instead of the counter and they'll be perfectly fine! If you had said it was a hot summer night, I'd be hesitant.

Would being cold and wet compromise the bloom? I’m thinking of the recommendation to wash eggs in warm water because cold could pull bacteria into the shell? I am not 100% sure.

 

[WingItRanch]

w

Would being cold and wet compromise the bloom? I’m thinking of the recommendation to wash eggs in warm water because cold could pull bacteria into the shell? I am not 100% sure.

I really don't think a short time in the cold would be an issue but if you're worried, smell them before you crack them. If no smell, crack one each into a bowl separately before you put into the pan. It should be obvious if they're bad.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd refrigerate them and bump them to the front of the line and use them up first. Obviously if you crack them and they seem off, then toss, but since they were just left out overnight with some mist I think they should be fine for immediate use.

 

[K0k0shka]

I’m thinking of the recommendation to wash eggs in warm water because cold could pull bacteria into the shell?

I don't buy that reasoning at all. If you are washing the eggs and about to cook them, what does it matter what they pull in? The egg is presumed unsafe anyway, simply for being raw, and you need to cook it thoroughly to kill whatever bacteria may already be in it, like salmonella. Who cares what else they pulled in, in the brief amount of time between being washed and being cooked. Also, that's why the more logical other recommendation exists - to wash eggs only immediately prior to cooking, not before storing them.

If those eggs didn't get wet, then they're probably fine.