How to Tell if Eggs Are Old or Safe to Eat After They Expire (2024)

Here's the thing: The dates on egg cartons are less than discernible. In some states, egg packagers are required to list sell-by dates. In others, they must stamp use-by dates. And neither date tells the whole story when it comes to egg freshness.

That's because eggs can be and often still are perfectly good long after the date—any date—that's printed on the outside of the plastic or Styrofoam box. If you find yourself wondering how long your eggs will last, use these methods to assess freshness before throwing them out.

Do Eggs Go Bad?

According to the USDA, fresh eggs will stay good in the refrigerator for three to five weeks, so if you see an old date on your egg carton, your eggs may still be fresh and safe to use. Hard-boiled eggs last up to a week.

Egg cartons for sale in the United States are typically printed with a "sell-by" or expiration date. While it is not required that FDA-approved eggs stamp their cartons with these dates, it may be required by state laws. Additionally, eggs with the USDA-graded stamp are required to display the pack date on the egg carton. Regardless of the stamp, the eggs may still be safe to use and consume after that date.

• The sell-by and EXP date are both examples of expiration dates. These dates help sellers maintain fresh inventory and rotate stock, but they do not reflect the safety of the eggs.
• The "Use-By" date and other terms such as "Best By" "Best Before" or "Use Before" are all common terms used to state the last possible date the eggs can be used before their quality and freshness decline. This date must not be more than 45 days after the eggs are packaged.
  

How to Check Your Egg’s Freshness

Before you crack a single shell, there are a few methods you can use to determine if the egg is safe to eat.

Method 1: Float Test

Even when an egg floats, it isn't necessarily bad. Just consider a floating egg a warning to be extra attentive to the egg before you toss it into a pan or mixing bowl.

1. Fill a large bowl or tall glass with cold water.
2. Gently place the egg in the bowl or glass. If you're using a tall glass, consider setting the egg on a spoon and gently lowering it into the water so it doesn't sink quickly and crack.
3. If the egg sinks and rests on its side, that is a very fresh egg. If it sinks but sits upright and bobs at the bottom of the bowl or cup, that egg is still fresh. It's just a bit older. Lastly, if the egg floats, that egg is no longer fresh.
   

Method 2: Smell Test

Use one of your best senses—smell—to decide if an old egg really is bad. Eggs that are no longer good or safe to use produce a strong, distinct smell. (Fresh eggs have no smell, so if you smell anything when you take a sniff, it's likely a sign the egg is no longer good.) Bottom line: If it smells like a rotten egg, it probably is one.

Method 3: Egg White Test

If you're on the fence about an egg, this test may help you decide whether to keep it or toss it.

1. Crack an egg onto a clean, flat surface such as a plate.
2. Look at the egg white consistency. The egg whites should not be runny or spread out too much. They should be a little cloudy and look sticky and thick. Egg whites that are watery, thin, and transparent are a sign that the egg has lost its freshness because as eggs age, its consistency changes to a more liquid state. The egg yolk may also be more flat rather than rounded on top.

Method 4: Shake Test

Like the egg whites test, the point of this test is to see if the yolk has become watery, which is an indicator that an egg has gone bad.

1. Take an egg and shake it beside your ear.
2. If the inside of the egg sounds like it is sloshing around, it may be time to toss it. This is because the consistency of the egg becomes more liquid with age. Little to no sound inside the egg is a good sign that the egg is still fresh.

Method 5: Shell Test

You might not need to crack the egg to determine it's gotten old. The eggshell can surprisingly say a lot about its lifespan.

1. Look closely at the eggshell.
2. If the shell has a slimy or powdery texture and is cracked, or discolored, it is best to throw it out, as these may be signs of bacteria growth. Eggs that are cracked are exposed to bacteria and are dangerous to consume if they sit for a long time after being cracked.

Method 6: Bacteria Growth Test

Eggs that should be tossed in the trash may also show signs of mold or bacteria growth when you crack into them. Follow the steps below to check for bacteria growth.

1. Crack the egg onto a plate or in a bowl.
2. Check the egg whites and yolk for any discoloration that may be present.
3. If the eggs have an unusual color, toss them. If they have turned a little pink or pearly/iridescent in spots, it is a sign of bacteria growth, and you should throw them away.

Method 7: Expiration or Sell-By Date

You may be thinking "I thought the whole point of this article was to ignore the date on my egg carton." Well, not quite. While you shouldn't rely solely on the expiration or sell-by date to determine if your eggs have gone bad, it can help you get a good idea of how fresh they are.

While your eggs are most likely good if they have a date on them that hasn't passed, if the date has long gone you should be cautious and try a couple of the above methods to ensure your eggs are still good.

How to Properly Store Eggs

Storing your eggs in the refrigerator is key to preventing bacteria growth. However, despite their clever design, ceramic egg dishes or the plastic trays in refrigerator doors are not the ideal locations for storing your fresh eggs. (The same goes for milk.) Place eggs on an inside shelf in the carton you purchased them in to protect them from bacteria and cracking. In a fridge door, they're more likely to crack with all the movement. Plus, temperatures on a fridge door are not consistent. You invite bacteria growth if you let your eggs warm and cool repeatedly.