One of my customers just got a rotten egg. Should I be so freaked out?

[huckleberryfarm]

We sell our eggs commercially at a local organic grocery store. One of my friends bought a dozen and called to say that one was rotten. Very stinky. Of course, I was mortified!

Now I'm wondering if this has happened with people who don't know me. I collect eggs daily and usually leave on the counter for a few days and then package & refrigerate. The egg couldn't have been more than a few weeks old based on the date on the package. What causes a rotten egg? Does it just happen randomly? I had nightmares about it all night!

 

[7L Farm]

I wouldn't freak out. The egg probably had a crack in it. The cracked egg was exposed to air so it rotted. That's my guess. You could give her a free dozen thats your call.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I collect eggs daily and usually leave on the counter for a few days and then package & refrigerate. The egg couldn't have been more than a few weeks old based on the date on the package.

If you're going to sell eggs I think it's in your best interest to gather and refrigerate daily. I personally do not sell eggs over a week old because I want to deliver the freshest possible product that I can so that my customers will pay a premium.

There are many causes of rotten eggs, but most of them can be alleviated by gathering and refrigerating every day.​

 

[Fred's Hens]

You might try this. With all new customers, stress and repeat, over and over, that if they find a bad egg, for whatever reason, please let you know and you'll replace it, no problem.

We tell folks, this is a farm. Eggs sometimes ARE streaked with a little blood, in the stores too!!! But, nonetheless, we find it helpful to stress the egg replacement policy ahead of time.

 

[huckleberryfarm]

The problem is that they are buying them from a grocery store and not from me directly. I just know this person so they called me. Thankfully she's purchased lots of eggs and this hasn't happened before. I'm just concerned about the people I don't know that it might have happened to. Hopefully there aren't any!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

This is true. I guarantee my eggs unconditionally. If they are not happy with them for any reason whatsoever I'll refund them money or replace their eggs, whichever they prefer.

Only ever had one customer ask for a refund. She said they were "too strong tasting." {Shrug} No problem. Here's your money, ma'am.

 

[OhMyItsAndyy]

I dont sell eggs. But if you just collect and refrigerate immediantly, keep track of how old they are, (they last about six months in the refrigerator, undamaged) and make sure that they are not broken, then when youhand them to the grocery store, its their responsibility to keep them safe. If there is an egg problem from then on, it is out of your hands generally. at least for freshness

 

[Lurkeygirl2011]

Wow! Do eggs really last 6 mo in the refrigerator? I usually just keep them one and them feed them to the pigs.

 

[BuffsareBad]

Wow, really 6 months? I have always wondered how long they would last.
Do they need the fridge? If so how long?
How long do the last at room temp?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

A day at room temperature equals a week refrigerated. Eggs last about 2 weeks max at room temp. Least I'd not eat them after that, or after 4 months in a fridge.