Storing Eggs Safely Christine E. Jensen, USU Extension Associate Professor, Emery County Charlotte P. Brennand, former USU Extension Food Safety Specialist Storing eggs safely is important for your health and that of your family.
“Eggs are among the most nutritious and cheapest protein foods on earth and can be part of a healthy diet. However, they are perishable just like raw meat, poultry, and fish. Unbroken, clean, fresh shell eggs may contain Salmonella enteritidis (SE) bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. While the number of eggs affected is quite small, there have been cases of foodborne illness in the last few years. To be safe, eggs must be safely handled, promptly refrigerated, and thoroughly cooked.”
Many years ago, storing eggs was important due to lack of refrigeration or other safe preserving methods. From this time came an egg storage method that is not recommended today due to advancements and knowledge of egg safety. One method that has become very popular is storing eggs in lime water, also called “water glassing.” This method is not considered safe, nor is it a recommended method to store eggs for the long term.
Water Glassing Is Dangerous
Source: Food Safety and Inspection Service, 2019
Water glassing eggs was popular in the early 1900s. It was thought that eggs were sterile inside the hen and that all bacteria came through the shell after the eggs were laid. Research shows that Salmonella enteritidis can contaminate eggs as 1