Never Buy Eggs if You See This Red Flag

It’s a sign to grab another carton. When I’m shopping for eggs, I usually open the carton and give each one a quick check before putting it in my cart. But recently, I brought home a 30-pack of plastic-wrapped eggs that I couldn’t fully inspect beforehand, and when I opened it, I found a couple of cracked eggs stuck to the bottom. It was a frustrating reminder of why that check matters so much. Of course, I’mpaying a lotfor a dozen (or, in this case, 30) eggs, so I want to make sure they’re all usable. But a cracked or stuck shell is also an important food-safety red flag. If that egg has leaked into the carton, the raw egg can spread around, creating an opportunity for cross-contamination. On the surface, it might not seem like a big deal, but if you spot an egg with a cracked shell, an egg that’s stuck to the carton, or other evidence of leakage, put that carton back and grab a new one. ​Why You Should Always Check for Cracked Eggs It helps to think of the shell as more than just natural packaging. It’s also a protective barrier between the raw egg and everything around it. If it cracks and leaks, the liquid doesn’t always politely stay in its own cup; it can spread to the other eggs, yourhands, the carton, and potentially even yourshopping bag, kitchen counters, and fridge shelves. And if harmful bacteria, like salmonella, are present, it can alsotransferbetween the shells and the carton. Naturally, I don’t want to bring home a carton with pooled or dried raw egg inside. It’s also why industry safety guidelines from theEgg Safety Centeradvise againstreusing cartonsor putting cracked shellsback into a carton(I’m talking to you, Dad!). Of course, not everycracked eggcontains harmful bacteria.

It’s a sign to grab another carton.