In today’s world, foodborne illnesses are increasingly prevalent, surpassing concerns such as air pollution and smoking. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure the proper handling and preservation of our food. The regulations followed in restaurant kitchens for food safety should also be adopted in our homes.
In this blog, I’ll address a vital aspect of food safety: how to handle eggs safely.
1. Inspect for Cracks
Before purchasing eggs, carefully examine them for any cracks, holes, or signs of leakage. Cracked eggs pose a risk of contamination and should be avoided.
2. Hand Hygiene
Prior to and after handling eggs, it’s essential to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent cross-contamination.
3. Consider pasteurized egg
When cooking raw chicken, it’s crucial to ensure proper cooking to eliminate any potential bacteria, such as Salmonella. Approximately 1 in every 25 packages of chicken at the grocery store is contaminated with Salmonella. Failure to cook chicken thoroughly can result in illness from this bacteria. Additionally, Salmonella may be present in chicken egg yolks. To prevent the presence of this bacteria, eggs typically undergo pasteurization. Pasteurized shell eggs are immersed in warm water baths for a minimum of 3.5 minutes at a temperature of 60°C or 140°F. It is possible to pasteurize eggs at home and mark them with a “P” for identification.
4. Egg Benedict
When making poached eggs, ensure that the egg reaches a temperature of 70°C inside for approximately 3 minutes. This ensures that the egg meets the criteria for pasteurization.
5. Food Temperature Control
When preparing dishes that include eggs or rely on eggs as an ingredient, it’s important to control the temperature of the food to at least 57°C. Additionally, avoid reheating cooked eggs when consuming them. It’s advisable to eat cooked eggs immediately, as reheating them could potentially lead to slight toxicity.
6. Storing
According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), eggs should be promptly stored in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40°F or below. It’s recommended to use a refrigerator thermometer to ensure proper temperature control.