Shelf Life of Eggs

Eggs are high in protein and are highly vulnerable to bacterial growth in a short span of time. The egg has a natural protective coating that protects it from the attack of bacterias like Escherichia, Klebsiella, Yersinia, Salmonella, etc. If not handled or processed properly, they reach the consumer with all such contaminants. This is why egg handlers at poultry farms are asked to wash eggs as per the guidelines given to them. Proper washing before packing reduces the chances of microbes entering the eggs when they are cracked for consumption. However, the washing process removes the natural coating, which is why mineral oil is sprayed on the egg to protect it from bacterial growth.

One should ideally pick up the eggs from a supplier who has a high turnover. The expiry date on the egg carton should be checked before purchasing. In the US, the date mentioned is the one on which the eggs were packed. The number is written from 1 to 365, where 1 means 1st January and 365 means 31st December. According to the USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists in Athens, Ga, the shelf life of eggs comfortably extends the recommended sell-by-date on the retails cartons if stored correctly. Read more on eggs nutrition facts.

What is the Shelf Life of Eggs
The shelf life of the egg will vary with the form and the temperature at which it is stored.

Shelf Life of Eggs in Refrigerator
Place the eggs in the original carton itself and place them in the refrigerator as soon as you bring them home. This is because the protective cardboard slows down moisture loss, thereby protecting the eggs from imbibing the different odors and flavors of strong smelling foods in the fridge. Moreover, eggs are susceptible to loss of quality induced by changes in temperature, which is why they should be placed in the inner side of the fridge where the temperature is cool and consistent. Storing them on the fridge door, where warm air enters each time the door is opened, can cause the eggs to deteriorate quickly. The storage period for uncooked eggs and cooked eggs in the refrigerator are different. Let us look at each of them separately.

Uncooked eggs: When properly refrigerated, uncooked eggs (in raw shells) typically last for 4-5 weeks, without any significant loss of quality. However, the point to be noted is that this 4-5 week period pertains to the moment since the eggs are laid, not from when they make it into the refrigerator. To be on the safer side, it is best to store eggs in their shells for not more than 3 weeks. In case of storing only the raw egg white, one can safely refrigerate it for up to 4 days. To store egg yolk, make sure the unbroken raw yolks are covered in water and stored in a tightly sealed container. In this manner, the egg can be stored for up to 2 days.

Hard boiled eggs: Hard boiled eggs in the shell, unlike the raw ones, will last for only a week's time in the refrigerator. This is because the egg shells are highly porous in nature and are sprayed with mineral oil by the poultry farmers. The mineral oil forms a thin film like coating on the egg and seals it, thereby preventing quality deterioration. Boiling the eggs causes the mineral oil's protective coating to wash away. Absence of the coating leaves the egg vulnerable to bacterial attack. When farm fresh eggs are hard boiled, peeling them becomes very cumbersome. They can be stored for 5-10 days in the refrigerator, to make peeling easier. As far as storing the yolk of hard boiled eggs is concerned, they can be kept for 4-5 days after draining them well and refrigerating them in a tightly sealed container. Read more on peeling hard boiled eggs.

Shelf Life of Eggs in the Freezer
Eggs can also be stored by freezing them. It is best to freeze the whites and yolks separately, as they store better. The egg whites when frozen can last from 1-3 months. To freeze the whites, one has to place egg whites in a Pyrex custard cup and seal it. The egg yolks, if stored alone, can become quite gummy when thawed. So, it is better to add a pinch of salt or sugar to it, which will protect the egg proteins. Place the egg yolks in an airtight container and freeze it. For savory recipes add salt and for sweet ones add sugar. Hard boiled eggs should not be frozen. This is because the albumin or white of the hard boiled egg becomes tough and watery when frozen.

Shelf Life of Eggs at Room Temperature
Eggs can contain bacteria like Salmonella, which can be destroyed when the egg is cooked thoroughly. This will not make the person sick. Well cooked eggs kill all the bacteria and thus can be stored for a greater amount of time at room temperature. Lightly cooked eggs do not get rid of the bacteria, which is why they are more vulnerable to spoilage. Though the chances of purchasing a contaminated egg is very low, it is better to be on the safe side and cook the eggs thoroughly.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service, hard boiled eggs and cooked egg dishes like deviled eggs and fluffy scrambled eggs should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. In case of places having hot weather conditions (temperature higher than 85°F), the egg dishes should not be left at room temperature for more than 30 minutes. Raw eggs stored at room temperature should be consumed within 2 weeks. Read more on

• Deviled Eggs Recipes
• How to Hard Boil Eggs

Shelf Life of Powdered Whole Eggs
Whole eggs are also available in the powdered form. The powder comprises a pasteurized, frozen, dried version of the egg yolk and white. This frozen and dried product when rehydrated can be used in the same manner as fresh eggs. This form of egg has a considerably longer shelf life and can be stored for up to a year. No refrigeration is required. However, there is quite some amount of flavor difference between the fresh eggs and powdered ones.

Eggs make lovely breakfast, lunch and dinner food items. The versatility of eggs is simply marvelous and fascinates every egg lover! The best aspect about egg preparation is its simplicity because one can dole out simple and delicious food items in minutes. Let alone the wonderful ways in which it pacifies the palette. However, egg lovers need to keep the shelf life of eggs in mind while storing and preparing egg dishes, in order to avoid falling ill. Hope this article on shelf life of eggs was enlightening! Enjoy!