How Long Are Eggs Good After They Expire (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 2 Days to 1 Year

Eggs are an amazing food for many people, and they are popular everywhere. The eggs are laid by several female animals, birds, reptiles, mammals, fish, and amphibians. The eggs of all these animals are not edible for humans. The most commonly consumed eggs by humans are chicken eggs. 

These eggs are rich in protein and are widely eaten all over the world. Eggs are consumed in many different forms and are used to make dishes, cakes, and other bakery items also use eggs. Boiled eggs are surprisingly popular among egg lovers. 

Eggs also hold cultural significance in some parts of the world. There is an Easter tradition in which hard-boiled eggs are painted and decorated. In Northern Europe & North America, there is an Easter hunt tradition, in which adults hide eggs for children to hunt. 

How Long Are Eggs Good After They Expire?

Eggs are a perishable food item as they become stale after a few days. The way of storing eggs play an important role in keeping them fresh. They can last for a long time if properly stored. Usually, the expiry date of eggs is always less than a month. This is due to the USDA regulations. 

This is because eggs can easily last for 3 to 5 weeks if stored in good hygienic conditions. Keeping the eggs in the refrigerator prevents them from expiring. It helps them to remain fresh for a longer duration. Even in the refrigerator, they last a maximum of 6 weeks. 

One important aspect that should be made sure of is that the longer the eggs are stored, the more decline in quality is seen. Eggs stored for a long duration deteriorate, and taste also becomes unusual. It is not advisable to eat stale eggs as they can cause harm to the body.

Cooked eggs are much easier to digest as compared to raw eggs. Cooked eggs remain fresh in the refrigerator for about 4 to 5 days. Though eggs are high in protein, a high level of consumption of eggs could be dangerous to health. 

It is true that even after the expiry date, eggs can be edible. It depends upon the storage method. Eggs stored in a freezer can remain edible even after a year of the expiry date.

Check out this table for more details on the duration of eggs before they become stale,  

Why Are Eggs Good For So Long After They Expire?

If the eggs are transported and stored in the right manner, then they are likely to remain fresh for a surprisingly long duration. They can remain fresh for a long time even after the expiry date if they are properly stored. 

If the eggs are not stored in a refrigerator and are left at room temperature then they are likely to rot in a few days. Keeping the eggs in the refrigerator or freezer helps in slowing the growth of bacteria inside an egg. 

The presence of bacteria is the reason behind the rotting of eggs. At the freezing temperature, the entry of bacteria inside the shell is prevented. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all eggs to be stored below 7°C from the time they are washed until purchased, but it is equally important that the eggs are properly handled and stored after you brought them.

Conclusion

Eggs are very nutritious and healthy. Mere knowledge about the number of days eggs remain fresh is not enough. Eggs must be properly checked before they are used. 

Every time you use the eggs beyond the expiry date, it becomes more important to ensure that they are in good condition. Eating stale eggs is not beneficial for the body. In some cases, it may be dangerous to eat stale eggs.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168160506002303
2. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/236410989.pdf