Washing eggs?

[LindaN]

When I collect eggs, I brush off any nest material that is sticking to them, then put them in an empty egg carton and stick them in the refrigerator.

Only once has there been poop on the egg, and I think that happened as it was being laid by one of my pullets (they're still learning!). In that case, I scraped the poop off before adding it to the egg carton.

Before I cook with the eggs, I do rinse them off under warm water. I've used dishwashing soap (non-scented) only once so far, wiping off each egg with a wet, soapy sponge then rinsing them off. I don't notice much difference with soap or without, frankly.

My main concerns when storing the eggs is to keep them fresh. Leaving the bloom on and storing them in the refrigerator as promptly as possible (on days when I'm at work, I don't get to collect the eggs until hours after they're laid) keeps the eggs fresh.

My main concern when cooking with the eggs is to not introduce something hitching a ride on the outside of the shell into the food I will ingest. Of course I don't eat the shells, but when I crack an egg I penetrate the shell and provide a pathway for stuff to get into the egg itself. So, I think washing the shell off just before use is a good thing to do.

I'm not a freak about bacteria though, and I really don't believe in anti-bacterial soaps, etc. (Don't get me started on the overkill of anti-bacterial this and that being marketed to folks!). I'm just trying to be practical, and I usually wash food off before eating or cooking with it anyway (veggies, fruit, meats, etc).

 

[Sunflower]

I am glad this post came up b/c I was just wondering about it. I have no problem not washing eggs for my own consumption, but since I sell some and give some away, I do at least rinse the eggs and lately I've been wiping them off with the dishrag as well. My eggs are rarely dirty at all but I just was not sure.
I was not aware there was a film on them. I'm still going to rinse mine. They don't sit in the fridge that long anyway!! LOL

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
^^^^----- That is what almost all small producers use.

If you sell eggs, they must be washed. If you want to wash them for yourself, it cannot hurt since you are refrigerating your eggs anyhow.

 

[Southern28Chick]

Quote:
^^^^----- That is what almost all small producers use.

If you sell eggs, they must be washed. If you want to wash them for yourself, it cannot hurt since you are refrigerating your eggs anyhow.

I don't wash mine except the 2 that were covered in poop but I'm probably going to wash the ones that I sell. How long will they keep refrigerated if you wash them? I'm selling a dozen tomorrow and I need to know what to tell the guy that's buying them.

 

[greyfields]

I tell them a couple months. Consider that grocery store eggs are typically 30 days old before reaching the shelf, you can truly say your eggs are fresh. I stamp mine with the day packed even.

We are also licenses egg vendors. So we must wash, grade, size and label eggs in compliance with WSDA and USDA requirements. It's not optional for me. But if you are just selling a few eggs and aren't a business, you don't need licensing (and inspection). BUT, I would at least have insurance that covers agricultural products you sell from your house/farm. And I would wash them for sure. At the first hint of salmonella in one of your customers, they'll be coming to you first.

 

[FrankBlissett]

"...But if you are just selling a few eggs and aren't a business, you don't need licensing (and inspection)...."

Check first though!
...
The above is true for USDA, and likely most (if not all) states, but check first.

Then double check your findings!
...
State departments of agriculture are notorious for demanding producers to obey that laws which don't exist. We had a case in Michigan where an MDA agent threatened to shut down a farmers' market if the egg vendors didn't get refrigeration equipment. The market master made it so at some expense - only to find out that the law doesn't apply to small vendors selling direct to customers.

-Frank

ps: If you sell to another, even occassionally, you ARE a business for tax and legal purposes.

 

[ChickieDee]

You guys are scaring me. I sell my eggs to co-workers and friends and never wash mine. If they are dirty, which is almost never, I rub them with a Mr. Clean magic eraser just to make them look nicer. I eat mine and have never washed them.

 

[FrankBlissett]

Far as I know (disclaimer - I'm NOT a lawyer) unwashed eggs are okay to sell so long as they're clean.

-Frank

 

[ChickieDee]

By the way, I live among the Amish who sell eggs and I know they ain't washing them. My hubby will divorce me for sure if we get sued for sell a bad egg.

 

[cheeptrick]

I've been rinsing mine in warm water and drying with a clean paper towel. Mine have not had any feces on them, but have had a few with blood.
Dating mine will help when I start to get more than 2 a day, but for now I'll let them mature a little more before selling them to friends and others who signed up for our EGG list!
I enjoy FRANK BLISSETT posts...you seem to have some good info! Thanks....keep it up!