September 5, 2008, Newsletter Issue #246: EGG SAFETY

Tip of the Week


Eggs have been used to celebrate spring festivals for centuries. Symbolic Easter rabbits and colored eggs came to America with German settlers, and egg hunts have been beloved by children ever since. Easter egg hunts can be fun and safe for all if a few simple guidelines are followed:

Inspect eggs before purchasing them, making sure that they are not dirty or cracked. Dangerous bacteria may enter a cracked egg.
Store eggs in their original carton on a refrigerator shelf until ready for preparation. Keep eggs away from foods with strong odors (such as fish). Be sure that they do not freeze.
For best results with hard-cooked eggs, buy eggs 1 week in advance and refrigerate them. Eggs can be "too fresh" to peel easily.

Eggs have been used to celebrate spring festivals for centuries. Symbolic Easter rabbits and colored eggs came to America with German settlers, and egg hunts have been beloved by children ever since. Easter egg hunts can be fun and safe for all if a few simple guidelines are followed:

Inspect eggs before purchasing them, making sure that they are not dirty or cracked.
Dangerous bacteria may enter a cracked egg.

Store eggs in their original carton on a refrigerator shelf until ready for preparation.
Keep eggs away from foods with strong odors (such as fish). Be sure that they do not freeze.

For best results with hard-cooked eggs, buy eggs 1 week in advance and refrigerate them. Eggs can be "too fresh" to peel easily.

Follow these directions for perfect hard-cooked eggs:

Place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan; add enough tap water to cover at least 1 inch above eggs.

Cover and quickly bring just to boiling. Turn off heat, and if needed, prevent further boiling by removing pan from the burner.

Let covered eggs stand in the hot water for 15 to 17 minutes for Large eggs. Adjust time up or down by about 3 minutes for each size larger or smaller.

Immediately run cold water over eggs or place them in ice water until completely cooled.

Dry and refrigerate, or decorate eggs immediately. Do not decorate cracked eggs.
Refrigerate them and use as ingredients in holiday recipes. Do not hide eggs where they may come into contact with pets, wild animals, birds, reptiles, insects, or lawn chemicals. Gather eggs as soon as possible after they are hidden. Do not allow them to remain hidden overnight.

After the hunt: Inspect eggs; discard cracked eggs. Any uneaten eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Eggs gathered at public hunts should not be eaten if they are out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours.

Table decorations: Eggs used for table decoration should not be eaten.

Take care from the time of selection, and eggs can help make your holiday safe and fun.

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