Stop Washing Your Eggs Or You'll Get Salmonella

[whistling]

Stop Washing Your Eggs Or You'll Get Salmonella

---

On 14 October, Singapore Authority recalled Malaysian eggs after detecting the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis.

Although it usually isn’t fatal, this bacteria can cause illness if the food is eaten raw or undercooked. People with Salmonella infection can get diarrhoea, fever, vomiting and stomach cramps.

The eggs are produced by one of Malaysia’s largest egg producers, which is also a publicly listed company in Johor.

Following that, Food Safety and Quality Division (BKKM) has shared on their official Twitter account (@BKKKMputrajaya) on tips to store eggs correctly.

Some of them include:

• Choosing eggs with no cracks
• Storing the eggs in a clean and closed container after buying them
• Ideally, store them in the fridge
• Only wash the surface of the eggs when you wanna use it

Why can’t you wash the eggs and then store them?​

Some of you may be wondering, why can’t we wash the eggs before storing them for a long time? Isn’t it better that way?

Actually NOPE.

When you wash your eggs before storing them, the natural protective layer or cuticle that protects the egg from bacteria is gone.

Removing the cuticle makes the egg more porous, which reduces its shelf life and lets bacteria enter the egg. This makes them go bad and stink faster compared to when you store them without washing.

(Credit: Freepik)

This only applies to eggs that you will be storing or you’re not gonna use yet. BKKM suggests washing the eggs only when you want to use them.

But do we really need to wash them though?​

Commercially sold eggs rarely have dirty eggs and a health expert suggests not washing them.

According to Reader’s Digest, Amy Leigh Mercee, a holistic health expert warns the risk of washing your eggs.

If you wash an egg before you cook it, the water can push bacteria into the egg because its shell is so porous. This is especially true if you use cold runny water. You might make matters worse as the bacteria can get sucked into the shell wall.

(Credit: Freepik)

So, you don’t even need to wash your eggs if they’re already clean.
But if you buy eggs that are sourced directly from the farm, you may notice some chicken poop or feathers attached to them. If that’s the case, then wash them gently with warm water before cracking them open.

Now that you know when and when not to wash your eggs, how do you store the eggs?

 

[whistling]

https://www.sengchoonfarm.com/sub-page/faq.html

Should I wash my eggs before storing them?

When hens lay their eggs, they coat them in a cuticle layer that prevents bacteria from entering the egg through the shell. Washing the egg removes this natural protective layer, which makes it even more likely to go bad in storage!

If you do wish to wash your eggs, do so just before using them

How should I store my eggs?

Place your eggs with the pointed end facing down. Store away from food with strong smells, as eggshells are porous and able to absorb smells.

The higher the temperature, the faster the deterioration of egg quality. That’s why we strongly recommend refrigerating your eggs to prevent bacteria growth and reduce the risk of spoilage. If that isn’t an option, then keep them as cool as you can, away from heat, and use them as soon as possible!

Be sure to avoid moving your eggs in and out of cool areas, as the resulting condensation on eggshells increases the likelihood of bacteria entering the egg or mould growing on the shell.