Is it safe to eat eggs?

The local outbreak of salmonella tainted eggs has caused suspicion on the safety of the United States egg supply.  Many people are asking, "Is it safe to eat eggs?"

The Centers for Disease Control continues to issue a warnings to consumers not to eat recalled eggs.   "Recalled eggs might still be in grocery stores, restaurants, and consumers' homes", reports the CDC.  The CDC also advices that consumer only eat fully cooked eggs: both yolk and whites are hardened.

Pasteurization eliminates salmonella.  Davidson's Safest Choice® eggs use an all-natural pasteurization process.  They proclaim that consumers can even eat their eggs over easy and avoid food poisoning.

Three simple steps to take before you eat an egg to help avoid food poisoning.

1. Check expiration date on the carton.  If you are not sure it is fresh, do not eat it.
2. Examine egg.  If there are any cracks, throw it away.  Don't eat it.
3. After you crack the egg open, smell it.  If it smells rotten, throw it out.

News reports from Palm Springs radio station Mix 100.5 stated that the recalled eggs will not be wasted but will be pasteurized and used commercially in ice cream, mayonnaise and other foods.  

Egg Beaters liquid eggs say that they only use "pasteurized liquid eggs and there is no risk to any of our products."

Health experts state that eggs are a good source of protein and provide nutrients our bodies need. Dr. J. Mercola, D.O. writes that raw eggs are one of best sources of high-quality nutrients and that the pasteurization process destroys these vital nutrients. The best, nutritional and safest eggs to eat are locally grown, organic, and cage free.

One of the best places to get eggs are at your local farmers markets. The Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market opens September 26, 2009- Saturday mornings from 8 am to 12:30 pm and have locally grown, farm fresh, cage free eggs at 2300 E Baristo at Farrell - North Side of the Camelot Theaters, Palm Springs, CA 92262.

Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) Division of Foodborne, Waterborne,and Environmental Diseases (DFWED)