Springtime brings warmer weather and festive occasions like Easter, Passover, and graduations. And what’s a spring celebration without eggs? From cooking all the traditional recipes to preparing for the annual egg hunt, it’s important to handle eggs with care to prevent foodborne illnesses, such as Salmonella Enteritidis.

Here are some essential guidelines to ensure that your egg-related activities are both enjoyable and safe:

Choose Wisely:

When shopping for eggs, carefully examine them to ensure they are clean and free from cracks. Check the expiration date to ensure freshness.

Keep Cool:

After purchasing eggs, refrigerate them promptly. Eggs should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours to prevent bacterial growth.

Clean and Sanitize:

Wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water for about 20 seconds before and after handling eggs.  Use hot soapy water to clean all food preparation spaces including utensils, cutting boards, and countertops before moving on to the next step in food preparation. Surfaces and utensils can be sanitized with a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Allow the solution to sit on the surface for several minutes, rinse, and air or pat dry with clean paper towels.

Cook:

Cooking eggs thoroughly is crucial. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cooking eggs until both the yolk and white are firm, not runny, to destroy any harmful bacteria such as Salmonella. Dishes containing eggs should be cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).

Safe Decorating:

Decorate clean, refrigerated, and uncracked hard-boiled eggs. If you plan to eat your decorated eggs, use food coloring or commercial food-grade dyes, and ensure they are promptly refrigerated. Hard-boiled eggs may lose their protective mineral oil coating, making them susceptible to contamination if not properly refrigerated. Keep your decorated eggs refrigerated until just before your Easter egg hunt. When hiding the eggs, choose locations protected from dirt, pets, and other sources of bacteria. Promptly refrigerate found eggs and ensure the total time for hiding and hunting does not exceed two hours.

Consume Promptly:

Once the festivities are over be sure to consume the properly refrigerated hard-boiled eggs within seven days to ensure freshness and safety.

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy your egg-related traditions while minimizing the risk of foodborne illness. Let’s ensure that the only things we’re hiding this season are Easter eggs, not potential health hazards!

For more information on egg safety and other food safety information visit www.foodsafety.gov.

Sources:

The American Egg Board Important Food Safety Information – American Egg Board (incredibleegg.org)

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