Have you ever cracked an egg only to discover a small red blood spot inside? If so, what did you do with it? Did you discard the egg, or did you simply shrug it off and continue cooking? Many people are uncertain about whether eggs with these spots are still safe to eat. In this article, we\u2019ll clarify why these spots occur, what they mean, and whether the eggs are still safe to consume.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Have you ever cracked an egg only to discover a small red blood spot inside? If yes, what did you do with it? Did you discard the egg, or did you shrug your shoulders and continue cooking with it? Many people are uncertain about whether eggs with these spots are still safe to eat. In this article, we\u2019ll clarify why these spots occur, what they mean, and whether the eggs are still safe to consume,<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Are Eggs With Blood Spots Safe To Eat?<\/p>\n
Yes, they are \u2013 as long as these eggs are properly cooked. They are completely harmless and won\u2019t lead to any illness. You can continue cooking with them as normal. If you desire, you can also use the tip of a k-nife or something equally as small to remove the spot before cooking.<\/p>\n
Additionally, egg whites may contain brown meat spots. These are little pieces of tissue picked up by the egg as it passes through the oviduct. They are also completely harmless. On the other hand, if an egg white is red, pink, or green in color, this egg should be discarded. It likely means that a potentially dangerous bacteria has grown in that egg and could make you sick.<\/p>\n
How Many Eggs Have Blood Spots?<\/p>\n
Fewer than 1% of eggs contain blood spots, and if you\u2019re purchasing eggs from a grocery store, it\u2019s unlikely you\u2019ll come across one. This is because the grading process typically identifies and removes eggs with blood spots using a method called \u201ccandling,\u201d where bright light is used to spot imperfections. As a result, eggs with blood spots rarely reach consumers. It\u2019s important to note that this is not a health concern, but more about the fact that these eggs aren\u2019t visually appealing to people.<\/p>\n
However, with farm-fresh eggs, you\u2019re more likely to encounter an occasional blood spot. These eggs don\u2019t go through the same grading process, and farmers don\u2019t have access to the same technology. Additionally, brown eggs are more prone to having spots because their darker shells make them harder to detect.<\/p>\n
Why Do Some Eggs Have Blood Spots?<\/p>\n
A common myth is that blood spots mean the egg was fertilized. This is false information. Instead, blood spots are the result of the rupturing of tiny blood vessels in the hen\u2019s ovaries or oviduct. The oviduct is the passageway between the ovaries and the outside environment.<\/p>\n
Blood spots can appear in both the yolk and the egg white. If the spot is in the yolk, it indicates that the bleeding occurred in the ovary when the egg was released from the follicle. If the spot is in the white, it means the bleeding happened after the egg was released into the oviduct.<\/p>\n
Always Cook Your Eggs Properly<\/p>\n
Apart from blood spots, you should always store and cook your eggs properly. If your eggs are store-bought, you should keep them in the fridge. Farm fresh eggs can be left at room temperature, however, make sure that where they are stored doesn\u2019t have too much light and isn\u2019t too warm. Don\u2019t consume eggs with cracks in the shells \u2013 this is a prime opportunity for bacteria to enter that egg. Once cooked, eggs can last in the fridge for up to one week.<\/p>\n
When you cook, always wash your hands before handling the eggs. Wash them afterward, as well. Cook the eggs until both the egg yolk and white are firm. Consuming any amount of raw egg increases your risk of salmonella poisoning. If you are making a recipe that requires the use of undercooked or raw eggs, be sure to use eggs that have been pasteurized to treat salmonella and other bacteria. This will also help to reduce your risk of developing food poisoning.<\/p>\n