AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
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.
