master-cooks | Are Store Bought Eggs Pasteurized?

Store-bought eggs are generally not pasteurized unless specifically labeled as such. In the United States, most eggs sold in grocery stores are raw and unpasteurized. Pasteurization is a process that involves heating eggs to a specific temperature for a set period to kill harmful bacteria like Salmonella, which can be present on the egg's shell or inside the egg itself. While pasteurized eggs are available, they are often marketed as such and may be more expensive than their unpasteurized counterparts. Consumers seeking pasteurized eggs often do so for recipes that use raw or lightly cooked eggs, such as Caesar salad dressing, homemade mayonnaise, or sunny-side-up eggs, where there is a risk of foodborne illness. Pasteurized eggs provide an added level of safety without compromising the taste or texture of the eggs. It's important for consumers to check the packaging if they specifically need pasteurized eggs. For those concerned about food safety but unable to find pasteurized eggs, cooking eggs thoroughly until both the yolk and white are firm can help reduce the risk of illness. In summary, while pasteurized eggs are available, the majority of eggs found in stores are not pasteurized.

Mimimizing risk by pasteurizing eggs at home

If you can't find pasteurized eggs at the store, you can pasteurize them at home using the sous vide method. This cooking technique involves circulating heated water to maintain a consistent temperature, which is crucial for pasteurization. For sous vide pasteurization, both temperature and time are key; the eggs should be held at 135 degrees Fahrenheit for about 90 minutes.

However, the USDA warns that pasteurizing eggs at home can be challenging and may result in cooked eggs. This difficulty arises because the specialized equipment used by commercial producers is not available to consumers. Additionally, Elisa Maloberti, a food safety expert from the American Egg Board, confirmed to Simply Recipes that achieving the precision needed for effective home pasteurization (without cooking the eggs) is nearly impossible outside of a commercial setting.

That said, trying to pasteurize eggs at home isn't inherently dangerous, as long as you're okay with the possibility of ending up with cooked eggs. If you're planning to use raw eggs for something like a classic eggnog recipe, it might be worth attempting DIY pasteurization, especially if you can't find pasteurized eggs through other means.

Are Store Bought Eggs Pasteurized?

Mimimizing risk by pasteurizing eggs at home

Recommended

Next up