Egg are safe to eat if you take precautions

July 9, 5:37 AMSoutheast MI Home & Living ExaminerJackie DiGiovanni

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Photo by Darwin Bell

During the season of picnics and more on-the-patio meals, we need to be careful to stay healthy. Recent news about uncooked eggs in raw cookie dough should remind us that eggs can be a source of illness if eggs are not handled and stored correctly.

The FDA recently added regulations that require most egg producers to follow preventive procedures in the production, storage, and transport of eggs. Members of the egg industry are now required to register with FDA, have a prevention plan, and keep records documenting their compliance with the regulation.

Please be aware that egg producers who sell directly to the consumer or who have less than 3,000 laying hens are exempt from this new ruling.

The FDA continues to advice consumers to:

• Only buy eggs if they are sold from a refrigerator or refrigerated case.
• Open the carton and make sure that the eggs are clean and the shells are not cracked.
• Refrigerate the eggs promptly after purchase.
• Cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly.

The FDA advisory Playing it Safe with Eggs includes these recommendations:

Serve Safely

• Bacteria can multiply in temperatures from 40°F (5°C) to 140°F (60°C), so it's very important to serve foods safely.
• Serve cooked eggs and egg-containing foods immediately after cooking.
• For buffet-style serving, hot egg dishes should be kept hot, and cold egg dishes kept cold.
• Eggs and egg dishes, such as quiches or soufflés, may be refrigerated for serving later but should be thoroughly reheated to 165°F (74°C) before serving.

Chill Properly

• Cooked eggs, including hard-boiled eggs, and egg-containing foods should not sit out for more than 2 hours. Within 2 hours either reheat or refrigerate.
• Use hard-cooked eggs (in the shell or peeled) within 1 week after cooking
• Use frozen eggs within one year. Eggs should not be frozen in their shells. To freeze whole eggs, beat yolks and whites together. Egg whites can also be frozen by themselves.
• Refrigerate leftover cooked egg dishes and use within 3-4 days. When refrigerating a large amount of a hot egg-containing leftover, divide it into several shallow containers so it will cool quickly.

On the Road

• Cooked eggs for a picnic should be packed in an insulated cooler with enough ice or frozen gel packs to keep them cold.
• Don't put the cooler in the trunk—carry it in the air-conditioned passenger compartment of the car.
• If taking cooked eggs to work or school, pack them with a small frozen gel pack or a frozen juice box.

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