Cook County Health Posts Easter Reminder about Handling Eggs

Easter brings up images of colored eggs, Easter egg hunts and egg food dishes. However, failing to follow cooking and handling precautions can lead to food-borne illnesses.

Cook County Health would like to remind you about proper egg-handling tips to ensure that your Easter is a ‘hoppy’ one.

• Discard any cracked or dirty eggs.
• Wash hands and any spaces that come into contact with raw eggs.
• Use only food-grade dyes and food-safe decorating materials.
• Once the cooked eggs are decorated, store in the refrigerator within two hours. Per the U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooked eggs can be stored up to a week inside the refrigerator. Do not sure in the door.
• If using dyed, cooked eggs as decorations in breaks, serve the baked goods within two hours of baking or refrigerate and eat within three to four days.
• If hiding cooked eggs outside, don’t hide them where they can come into contact with animals or lawn chemicals.
• Do not hide eggs with cracked shells to avoid the risk of contaminating.
• If you must eat eggs that have been used in a hunt, make sure they have not been sitting out for more than two hours.
• Recipes containing eggs mixed with other foods should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F.