The Impact of Egg Wastage:
Mention the significant amount of food waste annually, with a focus on eggs, as reported by media sources like The Guardian.
Discuss the common issue of discarding eggs past their use-by date, contributing to substantial waste.
Practical Tips for Checking Egg Freshness:
Understanding Expiration Dates:
Explain the use-by dates on egg packaging and regulatory requirements for egg sales.
Emphasize that eggs can often be safe to consume for a month past their recommended use-by date if stored properly.
The Smell Test:
Advocate for sniffing eggs past their expiration date to detect any foul odors, a sign of spoilage.
Suggest cracking the egg into a separate bowl to assess its smell and avoid contaminating other ingredients.
Inspecting the Egg's Shell:
Recommend visually examining the egg shell for any abnormalities like cracks, mold, or unusual textures.
Advise on looking for discoloration after cracking the egg, as certain colors can indicate bacterial growth and potential foodborne illness risks.
4. Dip the egg in water
According to LCI, another technique can be effective in determining whether the egg is still edible.
To do this, you must immerse the egg in a saucepan or salad bowl filled with water. If it sinks to the bottom of the container, it is still good for consumption.
But if it remains erect, that means it needs to be eaten quickly. If it rises to the surface, it is expired.
In fact, the older the egg gets, the more moisture evaporates through microscopic pores and the air pocket gets bigger. Therefore, the older the egg is, the more it floats.
However, if you want to consume eggs immediately, do not repeat this experiment.
This dip can cause loss of the cuticle on the shell. However, the latter protects the egg from bacteria such as salmonella.