But thanks to their shells, they're rather resilient. Even though the mandated USDA washing and processing of eggs actually reduces their oxygen barrier, shortening their freshness cycle, they still come with a relatively robust time allowance: eggs can be consumed 45 days from the time of processing (which is usually just a few days after being laid). But if you're still wondering how to tell if eggs are good or bad, read on.
How to tell if eggs are still good
The best way to know if an egg is still good is to go by the date code on the package that it came in. However, if you have an egg and are unsure about that date, another way to test it is to place it in a bowl or glass filled with cold water.
The water test for egg freshness
First, fill a bowl or glass with about four inches of cold water and gently place your egg(s) inside.
Very fresh eggs will sink to the bottom and lay on their sides. If an egg stays at the bottom but stands on its small end, it's still acceptable to eat; just not quite as fresh. These "more mature" eggs are no less nutritious than a fresher egg, and most people are unlikely to notice a difference in taste. Two bonuses: 1. They'll peel without sticking to the white when hard boiled and 2. The egg whites are easier to whip into meringue when making desserts.
Any eggs that are too old to eat and should be discarded will float to the surface. Once enough oxygen has had time to permeate the shell, it forms an air pocket large enough to keep the egg afloat in water.
How to tell if eggs have gone bad
Along with the water test, there are a few more quick ways to tell if an egg is good or bad.
Smell
If you crack open an egg and immediately notice a pungent smell, it's probably safest to toss the egg. When eggs develop cracks during handling and transportation, bacteria has a chance to enter through the shell and can cause some pretty stinky odors to develop inside the egg. On the other hand, fresh eggs tend to have little to no noticeable odor.
Appearance
After you've cracked open an egg, look at the inside of the shell for black or brown spots, which can indicate mold. On the contrary, dark brown or red specks (blood spots) floating in the egg white or clinging to the yolk are not an indication of spoilage and are completely safe to eat or remove with a spoon.
Egg white consistency
As eggs sit in your fridge, a small amount of air slowly seeps through the shells over time, creating that air pocket you may have noticed when peeling a hard-boiled egg. This can cause the egg white to become watery. Although runny eggs aren't necessarily unsafe to eat, if you're unsure of the expiration date and notice that the egg whites are particularly loose, it's probably best to get a new carton.
FAQs
After you've cracked open an egg, look at the inside of the shell for black or brown spots, which can indicate mold. On the contrary, dark brown or red specks (blood spots) floating in the egg white or clinging to the yolk are not an indication of spoilage and are completely safe to eat or remove with a spoon.
Does the egg float test really work? ›
The theory is that, as an egg ages, the air pocket inside it grows larger, buoying an old egg to the surface. But, according to Dr. Schaffner, “there is no scientific basis for the egg float test.” So experimenting to see if your egg sinks or swims is not a reliable way to measure its quality.
Is an egg still good if it stands up in water? ›
If an egg sinks to the bottom of a bowl of water and lies sideways, it is very fresh; if it stands on one end in bottom of the bowl, it is less fresh but still good to eat. But if it floats to the surface of the water, indicating that air has permeated the shell, it is no longer fresh.
How do you check if eggs are good or not? ›
To perform the float test, gently set your egg into a bowl or bucket of water. If the egg sinks, it is fresh. If it tilts upwards or even floats, it is old. This is because as an egg ages, the small air pocket inside it grows larger as water is released and replaced by air.
How to tell if an egg is spoiled? ›
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.
Can I still eat eggs that float? ›
Can you eat an egg that floats in water? An egg that floats in water is no longer fresh but may still be safe to eat, according to the USDA.2 Crack the egg into a bowl and observe if it has an off-odor or looks discolored or out-of-the ordinary, in which case you should throw it out.
How reliable is an egg test? ›
It is often used in IVF treatment, as it can suggest how many eggs a woman may get when her ovaries are stimulated with fertility drugs. But it can't tell you anything about egg quality. Women with low AMH levels have the same chance of conceiving as women with normal AMH levels.
Can you eat eggs 2 months out of date? ›
On those egg cartons, if an expiration date appears, it can be no more than 30 days after the pack date. "As long as they're kept properly refrigerated at 40°F or lower, fresh eggs are safe to eat four to five weeks beyond the carton's Julian date," Maloberti says.
Do hard boiled eggs float when they are done? ›
Bottom Line
After trying several methods to determine if an egg is cooked or not, there were a few that came out on top. Contrary to what you might have heard, hard-boiled eggs do not float—but they do act differently when you spin them or shine a flashlight through them.
How long can eggs last in the fridge? ›
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.
Infertility issues, frequent miscarriages, and irregular menstrual periods are the symptoms of poor egg quality. As women age, egg quality can decline, potentially resulting in chromosomal abnormalities that affect pregnancy success.
What to do with old eggs? ›
Old eggs or rotten eggs are acceptable in composting programs - including your home compost pile. Contact your local recycling coordinator to find out whether your local transfer station offers municipal composting. Or consider starting your own home compost bin for your organic materials!
Is it bad if an egg floats in cold water? ›
Information. 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.
What happens if I eat a bad egg? ›
The main risk of eating bad eggs is Salmonella infection, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. A person can reduce the risk of Salmonella by keeping eggs refrigerated, discarding any with cracked shells, and cooking them thoroughly before eating them.
What does a bad egg look like when cooked? ›
Break the egg into a small dish and inspect the color.
If you see black or green spots inside the egg, it has been contaminated by fungus and should be thrown away. If the yolk of a hard-cooked egg has a green ring around it, this means the egg has been overcooked or was cooked in water with a high iron content.
Are eggs bad if they stand up in water? ›
The water test for egg freshness
First, fill a bowl or glass with about four inches of cold water and gently place your egg(s) inside. Very fresh eggs will sink to the bottom and lay on their sides. If an egg stays at the bottom but stands on its small end, it's still acceptable to eat; just not quite as fresh.
Is it true if an egg floats it's no good? ›
Information. 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.
Can you float test store bought eggs? ›
Place your eggs in the water. If your eggs sink to the bottom and lie flat on their sides, they are very fresh. If your eggs stand on one end at the bottom, they are a few weeks old, but still fine to eat. If your eggs float to the surface, they are no longer fresh.
