Washing Eggs

[samanthaburns]

My husband read somewhere that it is not safe to wash eggs. He said the change of temperature causes bacteria to grow inside the eggs. Is this true ?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Not quite accurate.

Each state Ag Extension office publishes an egg handling guideline. They're all over the web. In a nutshell, if you choose to wash the eggs (not everyone does) then be sure the eggs are washed in water 20-30F warmer than the egg. It's really more of a sanitizing. They don't "soak" for a long time or anything.

Your husbands's concern is true is you rinse/wash in cold water. All the commercial eggs, even the free range or organic eggs sold in the finest markets must all be washed. No exceptions. They do it safely and it is required. Just sayin'.

 

[samanthaburns]

I don't wash off the chicken eggs but I do the duck eggs. They have dirt and such on them. Just a quick rinse is all

 

[goldencomets6]

I always wipe mine off with a damp warm paper towel if they are dirty. I've never had any issues doing it that way

 

[Fred's Hens]

Lots of folks do not wash eggs at all. That's a popular, natural position taken by many on BYC.

But, But... If you do choose to wash eggs, following one of the many, many safe egg handling phamplets printed and posted on line should be employed. As I said, every state has published one these guidelines. They are almost all the same in content. Quick little one page brochures.


http://dnr.alaska.gov/ag/Inspection/LPM00344.pdf

http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/agr/animal-health/poultry/safe-egg-handling-for-backyard-egg-producers.pdf

http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/food/food_safety/handling/hgic3507.html


And many, many more, as many as there are states and state Ag Universities, I suppose.

 

[LadyLucia]

When in doubt, google! I found this link to be informative and helpful: https://www.fsai.ie/faq/egg_washing.html

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Not quite accurate.

Each state Ag Extension office publishes an egg handling guideline. They're all over the web. In a nutshell, if you choose to wash the eggs (not everyone does) then be sure the eggs are washed in water 20-30F warmer than the egg. It's really more of a sanitizing. They don't "soak" for a long time or anything.

Your husbands's concern is true is you rinse/wash in cold water. All the commercial eggs, even the free range or organic eggs sold in the finest markets must all be washed. No exceptions. They do it safely and it is required. Just sayin'.

x2

When you wash in water that's warmer than the egg, it actually causes some of the air inside the egg to move out through the pores, carrying bacteria with it. If you wash in colder water, you can force bacteria into the egg.

We sell eggs, and are required to wash ours in an "approved egg wash" and warm water.