How to tell if eggs are bad?

How often have you questioned whether your eggs in the fridge have gone bad and whether you should toss them out? Determining whether eggs are rotten or not is not the easiest thing to do since they do have an opaque shell. We sometimes consume eggs to avoid wasting them, but rotten eggs might cause food sickness. It's better to be safe than sorry. Here are several ways to identify if eggs are rotten before deciding whether to eat them or throw them away.

 

Check the expiration date

 

Checking the date on the carton is the simplest way to determine the freshness of the eggs. Carton labels are typically labeled with the expiration date, packing date, or sell-by date. The date can be used to determine how fresh the eggs are. Your eggs will be perfectly OK within four to five weeks of the packing date. However, just because the eggs have passed the expiration date marked on the box does not indicate they are bad. You can still tell using another approach.

 

Run a sniff test

 

This is the most traditional method for determining whether eggs are bad or good. Off-eggs frequently have a faint sulfuric, gassy, or sour odor. This indicates that the egg is unsafe to consume and should be discarded.

 

A visual check

 

You can check if the eggshell is cracked or powdered before cracking it into a bowl or clean plate, as this suggests that it has been contaminated by bacteria or mold. Then, crack the egg onto a plate and check if the whites and yolk are runny. Fresh eggs will have a bright yellow or orange yolk with a slightly firm egg white that sits up around the yolk. If the egg white is off, it will be significantly runnier. Examine the yolk for any pink or discoloration. If the egg smells sulfuric, discard it and wash the plate with hot, soapy water before using it again.

 

A float test

 

An old-fashioned egg float test is preferable to determine if eggs are good or bad. Eggshells are porous, allowing air to pass through. As a result, the older the egg, the more air can enter its shell. If the air pocket grows sufficiently, the egg may float. Fill a bowl or cup with cold tap water and carefully place your egg inside. If the eggs sink to the bottom and lie flat on their side, they are entirely fresh. If the egg is floating, it is not fresh. Then you can crack it open and inspect it visually.