Is it Safe to Eat an Egg with a Small Crack in the Shell?

Here’s what a dietitian has to say.

Eggs are an ever-popular grocery item.

We all know to lift the lid when choosing a carton at the store to check for broken eggs.

an egg with a small cracked shell

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But what if the egg is still intact with a small crack in the shell?

Is it still safe to eat?

Or, should you follow the rule, “when in doubt, throw it out?”

Let’s find out.

Is it safe to eat an egg with a crack in the shell?

From an anatomical standpoint, birds pass theireggs and feces from the same location.

(Gross, but true!)

That means the chances of food-borne pathogens likeSalmonellasticking to eggshells are high.

If the shell has a crack in it, the door is wide open for bacteria to seep in.

For that reason, theCDC recommendsavoiding eggs with cracked shells.

A cracked egg without oozing does not mean it is safe to eat.

Bacteria like Salmonella canpenetrate through the cracked shelleven if the contents of the egg are still inside.

Is it fresh enough to still cook and eat?

Remove the egg them from the shell, place them in a container and use within two days.

Keep eggs safe once purchased by storing them on top of other items in your grocery bag.

How exactly can you tell when an egg hasgone bad?

And perhaps most obviously, it should be odorless.

Since eggshells are porous, air can penetrate through the shell.

Eggs that are spoiled have a strong sulfur smell and should be avoided.

Keeping them in theiroriginal cartoonhelps prevent damage.

Keep eggs away from foods with a strong odor as smells can seep through the shell.

The placement of eggs in the fridge also matters.

Keeping eggs on the inner shelves instead of the door can minimize the eggs from moving around and cracking.

Eating cracked eggs may pose more risks than benefits.

To ensure your eggs are intact and damage-free, check their physical appearance before leaving the grocery store.