Too Good To Go BlogEggs: fresh or not? How to enjoy eggs past their best before date

UNDERSTANDING BEST BEFORE DATES

Seeing a Best Before date on your eggs might make you think it’s an expiration date, but that's not the case. Best Before dates are about quality, not safety. These dates indicate when the eggs will be at their peak freshness. Unlike Use by or Expiry dates, which are related to safety, Best Before dates offer some flexibility.

CAN YOU STILL ENJOY EGGS AFTER THEIR BEST BEFORE DATE?

Eggs can often be enjoyed past their Best Before date if stored properly. Keep your eggs in the refrigerator to ensure they stay fresh longer.

CHECK YOUR EGGS: LOOK, SMELL AND TASTE

Not sure if your eggs are still fresh? Start by looking at them with the egg float test: fill a glass with water and gently place the egg inside. Fresh eggs will sink to the bottom and lie flat on their side, while older eggs will begin to stand upright or even float, indicating they’re past their prime. Next, crack the egg open and take a sniff. Fresh eggs should have a neutral, clean smell. If you detect a sulphurous or unpleasant odour, it’s best to discard the egg.

Finally, if the egg looks and smells fine, you can proceed to a small taste test. Cook a small portion and taste it; if you still like the taste, go ahead and enjoy. However, if you notice any off-flavours, it’s safer to throw it away. These simple checks can help ensure you’re consuming fresh eggs while reducing food waste.

REDUCE FOOD WASTE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Understanding Best Before dates can help avoid unnecessary wastage. In Europe, confusion over date labels leads to about 10% of household food waste (EC, 2018). Since Best Before dates are just freshness indicators, we encourage you to trust your senses before throwing away perfectly good food. By reducing food waste, you not only save money by making the most of what you buy but also help avoid CO2e emissions and the unnecessary use of valuable resources like water and land. Every small action counts in our collective efforts to help save the planet.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EGGS

If you find yourself with too many eggs, why not transform them into delicious dishes like omelettes or quiches? These recipes not only help you make the most of your eggs but also reduce food waste. Find more food-saving hacks, recipes, and tips on our social media.

Together, we can make a positive impact on the planet, one egg at a time.