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Eggs are one of nature’s most nutritious foods. But eggs can make you sick if you do not handle and cook them properly. That’s because eggs can be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.

How do eggs get Salmonella on them?

Salmonella can get on the shells of eggs. This can happen when birds lay the eggs and when eggs touch bird droppings (poop) after being laid. 

How to reduce the chance of getting sick from eggs?

• Buy eggs from stores and suppliers that keep eggs refrigerated.
• Keep your eggs refrigerated at 40°F or colder.
• Discard cracked eggs.
• Use pasteurized eggs to make foods that contain raw or lightly cooked eggs, such as hollandaise sauce, Caesar salad dressing, and tiramisu.
• Eat or refrigerate eggs and foods containing eggs promptly after cooking. Refrigerate them within 2 hours, or 1 hour if the eggs are exposed to temperatures above 90°F (like a hot car or picnic).
• Use soap and water to wash hands and items that come into contact with raw eggs. These items include countertops, utensils, dishes, and cutting boards.
• Do not taste or eat raw dough or batter made with raw eggs, such as cookie dough or cake batter.

*Pasteurized eggs have been heated to a high enough temperature for a long enough time to kill Salmonella.

Salmonella illness can be serious and is more dangerous for some groups of people.

Most people who get sick from Salmonella have diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually begin 6 hours to 6 days after infection and last 4 to 7 days.

Most people recover without antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics are needed only for patients who are very ill or at risk of becoming very ill. People who have diarrhea should drink extra fluids.

Rarely, Salmonella can spread to the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection.

Some groups of people are more likely to get infected and get seriously ill. These groups include children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people who have a weakened immune system because of a health problem or medicine that lowers the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness.

What Else?

Important Reminder: Any type of food supplement is not a medicine and cannot be used as a medicine for any type of disease.