How Long Do Eggs Last Before Going Bad?
How Long Do Eggs Last Before Going Bad?
In the US, eggs are considered a perishable item.
This means they must be kept in the refrigerator to prevent them from going bad. However, eggs can last for a surprisingly long time when they're stored properly.
In fact, if you throw eggs out as soon as their expiration date arrives, you may be wasting money.
This article covers everything you need to know about how long eggs last before going bad.
source New Hope Network
edited by kcontents
Eggs Rarely Go Bad When Stored Properly
In the US and certain other countries, including Australia, Japan, Sweden and the Netherlands, eggs require refrigeration (1).
This is because eggs in these countries are washed and sanitized soon after they are laid in an attempt to prevent contamination with Salmonella, the bacteria often responsible for food poisoning from poultry products (2, 3).
Yet in addition to removing bacteria, washing an egg may damage its naturally protective cuticle. This can make it easier for bacteria to move through the shell and contaminate the egg (2, 4).
The presence of bacteria inside an egg is what eventually causes it to “go bad,” or rot.
However, keeping an egg at refrigerator temperatures (below 40°F, or 4°C) slows the growth of bacteria and helps prevent it from penetrating the shell (5, 6).
In fact, refrigeration is so effective at controlling the growth of bacteria that in combination with an egg’s protective shell and enzymes, refrigerated eggs rarely go bad — as long as they have been handled and stored properly.
Nevertheless, egg quality declines over time. This means that the air pocket in an egg grows larger and the yolk and whites become thinner and less springy. Eventually, it may simply dry up instead of going bad.
Despite these changes, an egg may remain perfectly safe to eat for a long time (7).
Eggs won't stay good forever though, and there is a point at which you'll want to throw them away.
SUMMARY:
Eggs rarely go bad if they have been handled properly and are stored in the refrigerator. However, they will decline in quality over time, and you’ll want to throw them away at some point.
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