Egg’s shell and membrane work to protect the inside from harmful bacteria
Cracked eggs can feel like a frustrating discovery, especially with the current high cost of eggs. Whether the crack happened during the trip home from the grocery store or mysteriously while in the fridge, the disappointment is real.
But does a cracked egg mean it’s destined for the trash? Not necessarily. According to an egg expert, it all depends on when the crack occurred.
Lisa Steele, author of Fresh Eggs Daily and a renowned expert on raising backyard chickens in Maine, shared her insights with Fox News Digital, offering valuable advice on how to handle this situation.
“The timing of the crack is crucial,” Steele explained, emphasizing that proper handling can make all the difference in whether a cracked egg is safe to use.
What do the experts say
According to Lisa Steele, not all cracked eggs are created equal—it depends on how and when the damage occurred.
“If I found a cracked egg in a store-bought carton, I wouldn’t use it,” Steele told Fox News Digital. She explained that there’s no way to know how long the egg has been sitting broken, which increases the risk of bacterial contamination.
“If you accidentally crack an egg at home, go ahead and cook it immediately,” Steele advised. Steele shared that she personally uses eggs she accidentally cracks, provided the membrane remains unbroken. “That membrane is what protects the egg from bacteria,” she explained.
The Department of Agriculture shared similar guidance on its website. “Bacteria can enter eggs through cracks in the shell. Never purchase cracked eggs,” said the USDA.
