Health Fitness

How to Tell If Your Eggs Are Bad
When in doubt, throw it out.

By Carl Hanson Updated on February 16, 2021

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Eggs in carton
Photo: Lew Robertson
You know that date stamped onto your egg carton? It's not actually an expiration date; eggs are usually good well past that date. In fact, if you've kept the eggs in their carton and in a chilly refrigerator, they can be good for weeks beyond the stamped date. But if you don't go by that date, how can you be sure your eggs haven't gone bad?

Here's how to tell if your eggs are still fresh even after the "best by" date has sailed on past.

The Fresh Egg Water Test
Fill a bowl with water, and carefully place an egg on top. If the egg sinks like a stone, laying down on its side, it's still very fresh! If it sinks but doesn't lay flat—and instead it kind of stands up, wobbling—your egg is OK and probably just right for hard-boiling. Egg salad, anyone? If the egg floats on the top, that's an indication that your egg is possibly past its prime. Floating doesn't necessarily mean it's gone bad, just that it's no spring chicken, as it were. But better safe than sorry. When in doubt, throw it out.

How Old Are Your Eggs?
AllClad stainless steel cookware with fried eggs
Rachel Johnson
If you look at the date stamped on your carton of eggs, you'll notice a recognizable date ("SELL BY MAY 11," for example). You'll also notice two sets of additional numbers: They may seem a little random, but they're actually indicating 1.) the packing date for the eggs and 2.) the plant in which they were packaged—an important indicator in the event of a recall.

As for the packing date, it's very easy to understand once you know what's what. This set of numbers runs 1 through 365, which is (not coincidentally) the number of days in the year. So, if the number on the carton is 032, for example, you know that because there are 31 days in January, the eggs were packed on February 1, which is the 32nd day of the year. Eggs are generally packed very soon after they're laid.

If your eggs are beyond the "best by" date but they've passed the water test—meaning, they were packed a reasonable amount of time ago and they wobbled or sank onto their sides in water rather than floating on top—crack one open.

Obviously, if you crack open an egg and it smells bad, it's fit for the garbage. But there are a few more subtle things to look for. A fresh egg will have a bright orange yolk and the whites will still have some spring to them. If the yolk is dull and yellowish and the whites run out lifelessly onto the plate, the egg is old. But again, an older egg isn't necessarily a bad egg. So give it a sniff; your nose will know. An egg should have a neutral smell. If there's no funky odor, it's probably OK. If you pick up sour or mildewy notes on the nose, toss it.

If your eggs are approaching the "best by" date, and you'd feel better cooking them, make pickled eggs! We have a bunch of recipes for pickled eggs. It's a terrific, tasty way to preserve your eggs.

But don't think that simply boiling your eggs will preserve them. Boiling them, in fact, may do the opposite and speed up their demise. Once you boil an egg it stays fresh for only about a week. This means you could take half the eggs from a carton of fresh eggs, boil them, and those eggs could go bad well before the raw eggs that you left alone. Though it sounds strange, it actually makes sense: The boiled eggs go bad faster because boiling removes a naturally occurring waxy covering that protects the raw eggs from bacteria. Without it, bacteria can sneak through the porous shells.

How Can You Tell If Hard-Boiled Eggs Are Bad?
Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs
Soup Loving Nicole
The best way to test if your eggs are still good after you've boiled them is, again, the smell test. Basically, you'll notice the smell is off if an egg is starting to go bad. This is true for raw eggs and it's true for boiled eggs—the funk doesn't lie.

What Happens When You Eat a Bad Egg?
Egg shells
Priscila Zambotto/Getty Images
If a bad egg somehow sneaks past your sniffer and you eat it, you could be in for some unpleasant stomach upset. But beyond eating an egg that's gone bad, there is the issue of eggs that are tainted with salmonella bacteria. The good news is, contamination is very rare—estimates range from one in every 10,000-30,000 eggs are infected with salmonella. Unlike good eggs that have simply gone bad, an egg infected with salmonella won't smell bad. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. They typically appear within 12-72 hours of eating the infected food and may last several days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that although most people will recover without medical treatment, "in some cases, diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized...The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness."

You can help protect yourself from salmonella by following these tips.

Quick Tips for Staying on the Safe Side
hard boiled eggs
Holy
Buy eggs that are sold in refrigerated cases.
Store your eggs in their carton in the refrigerator at 40 degrees F or below.
Don't wash your eggs until you're ready to prepare them.
Toss out cracked eggs. Bacteria can sneak through cracks.
Leave hard-boiled eggs in the fridge in their shells. Don't peel the eggs until you're ready to eat them.
Check out our collection of Breakfast Egg Recipes.

Yes Wrinkles can be removed!
Wrinkles can indeed be removed, and there are various methods available. The most popular approaches include the use of creams and serums, as well as maintaining proper hydration by drinking an adequate amount of water. Dehydration can accelerate the appearance of wrinkles, which might have developed over time regardless. To effectively address wrinkles, consider the following steps: firstly, ensure you are well-hydrated; secondly, establish a comprehensive skincare routine, which should include a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer. These are excellent starting points for those new to skincare.

Recent scientific advancements in skincare have shown promise in reducing and even eliminating wrinkles, thereby enhancing self-confidence. Common treatments include Botox, which effectively reduces wrinkles and fine lines, and fillers, both of which are widely available at spas and dermatology clinics. However, it is advisable to consult with a professional dermatologist before undergoing any such procedures.

As a certified skincare formulator specializing in anti-aging and age reversal, I emphasize the importance of selecting the right serums. Not all serums are suitable for everyone. For instance, retinol should be avoided by individuals with severely dry skin, as it can exacerbate dryness. Conversely, those with normal, combination, or oily skin may find retinol beneficial. For individuals with severely dry skin, such as myself, I recommend using niacinamide and hyaluronic acid alongside a quality serum and moisturizer to achieve a more youthful appearance.

It is important to remember that wrinkles develop over years and will not vanish overnight. It took me several months to notice significant improvements, as evidenced by the photo below. I recommend consulting a dermatologist to establish an effective skincare regimen. Additionally, be cautious of high-priced skincare products, as the cost often reflects packaging rather than efficacy. I encourage you to research and select products based on their ingredients rather than their presentation.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at RedeemAndRenew@hotmail.com.

Getting back to working out

Here are some tips for getting back into a post-holiday workout routine:
Start slow: Set realistic goals and go slowly to build momentum.
Plan workouts: Include a mix of cardio and strength training.
Warm up: A short dynamic warm-up can help prevent injury.
Stay hydrated: Drink more water to help with recovery.
Listen to your body: Don't beat yourself up, and pay attention to what your body is telling you.
Track your progress: Seeing improvements can help motivate you.
Eat healthy: Healthy food choices can help fuel your recovery.
Use bodyweight exercises: Your own body weight provides resistance, so you can work out even if you don't have access to a gym.
Try a kettlebell swing: This full-body exercise uses a weighted ball with a handle to increase strength.
Consider a personal trainer: A trainer can create a tailored fitness plan to help you achieve your goals