Thank you for taking the time to learn more about MyFreshEgg.com, the freshness and traceability coding service, and general egg safety. We hope that you’ll find the answers to the frequently asked questions below helpful and informative. We’ve also provided links to a number of other excellent resources on the web to provide more information about eggs and food safety.

Have a question, but don’t see the answer below? No worries, click here to send us your question in e-mail and we’ll do our best to get back to you right away. If your question is really good, we may even add it to the list below.

How long do eggs keep?
What is the best way to store eggs?
Is it safe to eat raw eggs?
What’s the difference between brown and white eggs?
What are the benefits of Freshness and Traceability Coding?
Is there any way to remove the Freshness and Traceability Code?
Is the marking process safe?
Will this technology cost me?
Where can I find eggs with Freshness and Traceability Coding?
Is this a new service?
How does the tracing work?
Can you provide me with other egg safety links?


How long do eggs keep?
Raw shell eggs should be consumed by the freshness date etched into the shell. As a general rule, most eggs are good within three to five weeks of purchase. Refrigerated hard-boiled eggs will keep for one week, and leftover yolks and whites should be used within four days.

What is the best way to store eggs?
In the refrigerator, but not in the door (the middle or lower inside shelf is best, where it’s coldest), at or below 40°F. Pooling eggs, the practice of cracking eggs and combining them in a bowl for storage, is advised against because it promotes bacteria growth.

Is it safe to eat raw eggs?
Eating raw eggs is a definite health risk. Because Salmonella bacteria are killed by heat, eggs should be cooked thoroughly before consumption. Although it’s not recommended to eat homemade eggnog or ice cream, commercially manufactured ice cream and eggnog are made with pasteurized eggs and have not been linked with Salmonella infections. When it comes to your health, err on the side of caution.

What’s the difference between brown and white eggs?
The breed of the hen determines the color of the shell. White eggs come from birds with white feathers and ear lobes, while brown eggs come from birds with red feathers and ear lobes.

What are the benefits of Freshness and Traceability Coding?
Peace of mind tops the list. Freshness dating on the individual eggs helps you avoid eating eggs that are past their prime. A Freshness and Traceability Code also satisfies the curious consumer who wants to know where his or her eggs come from.

Is there any way to remove the Freshness and Traceability Code?
Go ahead and try it. Because the expiration date and traceability code are etched into the shell, there’s no way to wash, rub or scratch it off. This ensures that the markings are around as long as the egg is.

Is the marking process safe
Yes, the marking process is safe. Prior to receiving acceptance from the USDA, EggFusion worked with multiple third-party laboratories to ensure that the process does not negatively impact the shell quality or porosity.

Will this technology cost me?
On-egg Messaging defrays the cost your retailer pays to bring you Freshness and Traceability Coding. Members of the Freshness Network are dedicated to providing customers with tamperproof Freshness and Traceability Coding, and their support subsidizes its delivery.

Where can I find eggs with Freshness and Traceability Coding?
Laser-etched eggs are available at select retailers on the East Coast. For an interactive map of locations near you, click here. If you don’t see your retailer on the map, click here let your grocer know you want the Freshness and Traceability Coding service on your eggs.

Is this a new service?
EggFusion first introduced the Freshness and Traceability Coding service in May of 2005. Since then, EggFusion has etched over a quarter billion eggs with tamperproof Freshness and Traceability Codes for members in the Freshness Network.

How does the tracing work?
It’s simple. All of the photos of eggs at MyFreshEgg.com feature codes which can be used to test drive the traceability system. Clicking on TRACE (it’s up there, at the top of the page) and entering the code (e.g. A005 EXP 01 16), you can see the type of information available.

Can you provide me with other egg safety links?
There are a number of excellent resources that can provide additional information on eggs and egg safety. Click on any of the links below to learn more.
American Egg Board
Egg Nutrition Center
Egg Safety Center
FoodSafety.gov
Food, Nutrition and Science Newsletter
North Carolina Egg Association
The Incredible Edible Egg™
United States Department of Agriculture
WebMD