How safe are farm fresh eggs?

Question

I read that safety depends on the cleanliness of the eggs. What is meant by this? Does dirt on the shell have an effect on the quality?

k m · Accepted Answer

actually probably safer than eggs from giant corporations. The eggs from big companies are processed pretty quickly- but not as fast as you grabbing one from underneath the hen at the farm! Salmonella only is on eggs/chicken that are INFECTED with it- so if those farm chickens don't have Salmonella, you won't get it on your eggs. The bacteria is on the egg SHELL so if you wash the egg it will remove that bacteria- HOWEVER- washing eggs removes the nacre that keeps the eggs fresher longer. The eggshell is actually porous- so removing any natural coating the hen creates when it's laid will subject the egg to more chances of germs etc getting into the egg itself. Eat farm eggs! They are GREAT! also, farm hens are fed good foods not ground up dead chickens and cement- they add all sorts of weird things to the food in corporate egg production. We humans have been eating eggs since the beginning of time- long before antibiotics and factory farm came about.

chorle · Answer

I think it means that the more often the hen house is cleaned the less likely the eggs will get Salmonella
If you take the same precautions you should with any eggs farm fresh eggs should be at least as safe and fresher than the eggs in the grocery store which came from farms.

random_man · Answer

don't worry about a little dirt, just wash it off. The key to food safety with eggs is cooking them thoroughly.

Chetak. · Answer

They are probably safe most of the time with proper handling, they should be wiped before being placed in the fridge
It is the transference of what may be on the shell to your hands, and then onto other foods
Chetak

Allie J · Answer

It's the same for all eggs. Sometimes chickens get poop on their eggs and if this really bothers you, just rinse them off.

Vasilis · Answer

The main problem is Salmonelosis, a food disease. But if you are cooking it (boil, frying and so on) you will not have any problem

Bob · Answer

temperature of the egg is important

Anonymous · Answer

We wash ours with soap and water and never get sick, you don't eat the shell!

SOHEL · Answer

good

How safe are farm fresh eggs?

9 Answers