Eggs are a familiar food in daily meals, rich in protein, vitamins and minerals necessary for the body. However, eggs are also a type of food that easily causes poisoning if they are not fresh or have expired. In fact, many people have difficulty distinguishing between fresh eggs and spoiled eggs, especially when eggs do not show any abnormal signs on the outside.
According to Ms. Edwina Raj, Head of Clinical Nutrition and Diet at Aster CMI Hospital (Bangalore, India), checking the freshness of eggs before use is an important step to ensure food safety.
How to check for fresh eggs
One of the simplest and most common ways is to test eggs with water. When placing eggs in a bowl of clean water, fresh eggs will sink to the bottom and lie horizontally. Old eggs are often standing upright, while spoiled eggs will float to the surface of the water due to gas accumulation inside.
In addition, you can gently shake the egg and lean close to your ear. If you hear the sound of liquid moving inside, it is a sign that the egg is no longer fresh. When cracking the egg into a bowl, fresh eggs have round, raised yolks and thick whites, clinging tightly around the yolks. Old eggs often have flat, easily broken yolks and thin whites. Odor is also an important factor, because spoiled eggs will have a strong odor that is very easy to recognize.
The expiration date of eggs needs to be noted
Many people believe that eggs can be used for a long time if stored in the refrigerator. However, eggs still have a shelf life or a "should-use date" that is usually printed on the box. According to experts, eggs can still be used for a short period of time after this milestone if properly stored and no signs of spoilage appear. However, over time, egg quality decreases and the risk of food insecurity increases.
Eggs stored in the refrigerator can still spoil
Storing eggs in the refrigerator helps slow down the growth of bacteria, but does not mean that the eggs will not spoil. Eggs left for a long time can still lose quality, appear strange odors or change texture. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully check the eggs before use, even if the eggs are kept cold continuously.
Risks when eating expired eggs
Eating expired or spoiled eggs can cause food poisoning, often associated with Salmonella bacteria. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocombatants are at risk of more severe complications.
Experts recommend that consumers check the expiration date, properly store eggs in the refrigerator and immediately remove eggs with abnormal smells, colors or textures to protect their health.
