"Those expiration dates are on some egg cartons to make sure that retailers don't keep eggs on shelves past a certain date," Maloberti says. "However, eggs can be safely eaten two to three weeks past that date. Depending on where [you live], the expiration date may be labeled as Sell By, Use By, Exp.
The bottom line: Eggs typically last three to five weeks in the fridge (even if beyond their sell-by date). To confirm an egg is safe to eat, check it for any changes in appearance or smell.
Of course, it is recommended that you consume the eggs within this date but they are often still safe to eat after it. If refrigerated you can eat them 2-3 weeks after the best-before date. That said, the quality, taste, and texture won't be the same and they need to be cooked thoroughly.
Simply fill a bowl with cold tap water and place your eggs in it. If they sink to the bottom and lay flat on one side, they are fresh and good to eat. A bad egg will float because of the large air cell that forms at its base. Any floating eggs should be thrown out.
Information. Eggs may be refrigerated three to five weeks from the day they are placed in the refrigerator. The "Sell-By" date will usually expire during that length of time, but the eggs will be perfectly safe to use. Always purchase eggs before the "Sell-By" or EXP (expiration) date on the carton.
What happens if you eat eggs a month after expiration date?
The expiration date on your carton of jumbo eggs is just there to ensure quality. So if you crack 'em open after the date has passed, you may notice they don't taste as good, but you're not at risk of illness. In short, you can eat eggs two months out of date. It'll be fine.
You can store fresh shell eggs in their cartons in the refrigerator for four to five weeks beyond this date. Plants not under USDA inspection are governed by the state laws where the eggs are packed and/or sold. Most states require a pack date.
An egg can float in water when its air cell has enlarged sufficiently to keep it buoyant. This means the egg is old, but it may be perfectly safe to use. Crack the egg into a bowl and examine it for an off-odor or unusable appearance before deciding to use or discard it.
The best way to determine if your egg is spoiled is by cracking it open into a bowl. If the egg white is pink or iridescent this is an indication of spoilage due to Pseudomonas bacteria. Some of these bacteria can make us sick when eaten and they will produce a greenish, fluorescent, water-soluble color.
"Those expiration dates are on some egg cartons to make sure that retailers don't keep eggs on shelves past a certain date," Maloberti says. "However, eggs can be safely eaten two to three weeks past that date. Depending on where [you live], the expiration date may be labeled as Sell By, Use By, Exp. By or Best By."
How long do fresh eggs last without refrigeration?
A general rule, unwashed eggs will last around two weeks unrefrigerated and about three months or more in your refrigerator. If you're experiencing an egg boom, it's smart to refrigerate any unwashed fresh eggs you aren't planning to eat immediately. This will help them last longer.
According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), you can freeze eggs for up to one year. When you're ready to use frozen eggs, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or under running cold water. Use egg yolks or whole eggs as soon as they're thawed.
If the egg smells okay, but you're still unsure, check its appearance. If either the egg yolk or white is runny, the egg might be a little long in the tooth. If the egg white—scientifically known as the albumen—is pink, green, or iridescent, get rid of it, it's likely infected with bacteria.
A quick test for freshness is to check if the raw egg in the shell sinks in a basin of water. Fresh eggs stay at the bottom of the bowl while stale eggs stand on end or float because of the large air cell. Other factors such as a weak shell and fine cracks can also cause the egg to float.
High temperatures encourage spoilage faster while temperatures that are too low will make the egg freeze. Fresh eggs that are stored at about 55°F with 75% humidity will last for about 2-3 months. Fresh eggs that are stored at 30°F with 85% humidity will last for up to 9 months.
Scrambled eggs or cooked eggs that have been made into egg salad or a quiche should be refrigerated and eaten within 3 to 4 days. Hard-boiled eggs will last for a full week if stored unpeeled in the fridge. Is It Safe to Eat Expired Eggs?
A bad egg will give off a foul odor when a person cracks the shell open, according to the USDA. This smell will be present even if someone has already cooked the egg. In some cases, when an egg is very old or rotten, individuals can smell the foul odor before cracking it open.
