Easter Isn’t All Fun And Games – Play It Safe With Dyed Eggs
It’s easy to forget food safety amid the excitement of coloring and hiding Easter
eggs. However, following a few simple guidelines will make such activities fun and prevent
unsafe eggs from causing any trouble.
Purchase eggs that are clean and free of cracks. When shells crack, bacteria is given
the opportunity to get inside the egg. This makes uncooked and cooked eggs unsafe to
decorate, hide or eat.
Always keep eggs cool. Uncooked eggs can be refrigerated for four to five weeks. On
the other hand, hard-cooked eggs should be used within three to four days. This is due to the
absence of a protective coating that is destroyed during the cooking process. Without this
coating, the egg’s pores are exposed to contamination.
Hard-cooked eggs, dyed or not, should not be left unrefrigerated more than two
hours. Boiling eggs will kill Salmonella but will not prevent spoilage or contamination from
another source.
For the perfect hard-cooked egg, follow these steps:
-- Place cool, uncooked eggs in a single layer at the bottom of a saucepan.
-- Cover with cold water at least one inch over the tops of the eggs.
-- Once the water is at a hard boil, turn off the heat and cover.
-- Cooking times for individual eggs vary. Extra large eggs should be cooked for 18
minutes, large eggs for 15 minutes and medium eggs for 12 minutes.
-- Immediately cool eggs by running them under cold water.
-- Return eggs to the refrigerator in a clean, dry container.
This cooking process helps ensure eggs will be free of cracks and peel easier.
This process also prevents eggs from developing the green tinge around the yolk that
often is caused by overcooking. This coloring comes from excessive iron in the yolk. However,
there is no reason to be alarmed. These eggs are still safe to eat as long as other safety
precautions are followed.
Use a food-safe dye when coloring eggs. Handle eggs carefully to prevent cracks and
refrigerate in a clean carton immediately.
Inedible, plastic eggs work best for Easter egg hunts. However, hard-cooked eggs can
be used as long as they are protected from sources of contamination such as dirt, pets and lawn
fertilizer. Remember to avoid hiding eggs in sunny spots where they are exposed to
heat. Return eggs to the refrigerator after two hours.
For more information, contact your local Nebraska Extension Office or on the web at:
food.unl.edu University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension is a responsive, innovative and trusted
information source for all Nebraskans.
Nancy Frecks
Extension Educator
SW 3 Counties
Dundy-Hayes-Hitchcock
[email protected]
308 334 5666 Hitchcock