Expert: Carol Schlitt - 3/8/2007

Question
Hi,

I left a dozen eggs out overnight. Are they safe to eat?
They are from Whole Foods and are "humanely raised", not that is makes a difference...?

Thanks for your help!
Karen  

Answer
Hi Karen,

Eggs are a potentially hazardous food -- in other words they can easily support the growth of harmful bacteria. Because of this, eggs should be stored refrigerated at all times to increase both their safety and quality.

Once left at room temperature for more than two hours, if pathogenic microorganisms such as salmonella, were present, no amount of cooking will be able to kill all the bacteria or toxins that had developed in that time.

So...pitch the eggs.  Throwing out the eggs is much cheaper that chancing getting sick.

Carol