American Dietetic Association Suggests Egg-Cellent Tips for Safe Eggs

April 2009

Whether you’re hopping down the bunny trail or cruising down the supermarket aisle, remember these guidelines from the American Dietetic Association to help ensure your Easter baskets and shopping baskets are full of only safe eggs.

  • Shopping
    Inspect your eggs.
    Before you buy eggs, open the carton and make sure none of them are cracked.

    Separate eggs from raw meat.
    Starting in your grocery cart, keep eggs and other foods separate from raw meat, fish, seafood and poultry. In your refrigerator, store eggs in cartons and keep them away from meat and poultry that might drip juice.

  • Preparation
    Wash your hands.
    Before any step in preparing Easter eggs — cooking, cooling, dyeing and hiding — wash hands thoroughly in warm, soapy water.

    Cook to completion.
    To hard-boil eggs properly, bring a pot of cold water and eggs to a rapid boil, then remove from heat. Let eggs stand in water for 15 minutes. Eggs are ready when white and yolk are completely set.

  • Storage
    Store properly.
    Store Easter eggs in the refrigerator. Like other high-protein foods, eggs shouldn’t sit out at temperatures of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for longer than two hours.

  • Decorating
    Decorate carefully.
    After washing your hands, handle eggs carefully while decorating to avoid damage. Cracked eggs invite bacteria. If you plan to eat your creations, decorate the eggs and refrigerate them promptly.

  • Hide and Seek
    Hide strategically.
    If an Easter egg hunt is in your plans, hide eggs so they stay clear of pets, dirt and other sources of bacteria. Don’t hide eggs more than an hour in advance of the hunt if you plan to eat them. Throw away eggs that are cracked, dirty or have been unrefrigerated for more than two hours. Tip: To be extra cautious, cook two sets of eggs: one for hiding and another for eating.

    Discard eggs after a week.
    Store eggs on a shelf inside the refrigerator, not on the door. Hard-boiled eggs — in the shell or peeled — do not keep as well as raw eggs, so discard any leftover Easter eggs after one week.

Whether preparing, serving or hunting for eggs, it’s easy for everyone to have a splendid Easter celebration while staying safe. For more information on eggs, visit the a registered dietitian. You can locate an RD in your area by visiting the Find a Nutrition Professional page.

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