Safe Handling of Eggs
Dr. Ken Koelkebeck
University of Illinois
Extension Specialist, Poultry
SAFE HANDLING OF EGGS
• Eggs are part of healthy diet
• Safe-stored properly, handled, and cooked
• Some unbroken eggs may contain
Salmonella enteritidis
PROPER EGG USAGE
1. Don’t eat raw eggs
2. Buy clean eggs from refrigerator
display case
3. Store eggs safely/properly at home
- 40° F
- Coldest part of the refrigerator
- Do not wash eggs
PROPER EGG USAGE (cont)
4. Use eggs promptly – 3-5 weeks
5. Serve immediately
6. Use safe egg recipes
www.incredibleegg.org
American Egg Board
Egg Nutrition Center
(ENC)
enc-online.org
The Nutritious Egg
Egg Nutrition Center
The Nutrition in an Egg is
Second to None
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Eggs have been a staple in the human diet for
thousands of years
The range of nutrients in an egg is sufficient
to sustain a developing chick embryo
With the exception of vitamin C, an egg
contains all of the macro- and micronutrients
to sustain human life
Egg Nutrition Center
Nutrient Rich Eggs
One Large Egg = 72 kcals
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4% energy
13% protein
23% choline
14% riboflavin
11% vitamin B12
6% folate
5% vitamin A
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5% vitamin D
4% vitamin B6
2% vitamin E
23% selenium
10% phosphorus
5% iron
4% zinc
Egg Nutrition Center
Macronutrient Distribution in
Raw Chicken Egg (per 50 g)
Weight (%)
Water (g)
Energy-kcal
Protein (g)
Lipid (g)
Sugars (g)
Whole Egg
100
37.9
73.5
6.29
4.97
0.39
Egg Albumin
66
28.9
17.2
3.60
0.06
0.24
Egg Yolk
34
8.9
54.7
2.70
4.51
0.10
Egg Nutrition Center
Egg Protein
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Approximately 60% contained in egg white;
40% in yolk
Nutritionally complete proteins, containing
all of the essential amino acids
Egg Nutrition Center
New Dietary Guidelines
Issued in Feb. 2011
Overall recommendations:
• Balance calories with
physical activity
• Eat more nutrient
dense & healthy foods
• Eat less sodium,
saturated/trans fats,
added sugars and
refined grains
Dietary Guidelines
for American 2010
US Department of Agriculture
US Department of Health and Human Services
Egg Nutrition Center
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines
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Stressed nutrient density and high quality
protein intake. Few natural foods are as
nutrient dense as the egg, or contain more
high quality protein.
Eggs are singled out in the Guidelines for
their nutrient density, high quality protein,
good breakfast choice.
Egg Nutrition Center
Common Myths and Misconceptions
About Eggs
• Myth
- Brown eggs are healthier
than white eggs
- Fertile eggs have less or
no cholesterol
- Free range eggs have
more nutritional value
than cage eggs
• Fact
- There is no substantive
nutritional difference
between white, brown,
fertile, and free range
eggs. Nutritional
content is determined
by the hen’s diet
Egg Nutrition Center
Common Myths and Misconceptions
About Eggs
• Myth
- Eggs contain
antibiotics and
hormones that are
given to hens to
increase production
• Fact
- Antibiotics and
hormones have no
effect on egg
production and are
only given to hens for
therapeutic reasons
Egg Nutrition Center
The Bottom Line
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Eggs have the highest quality protein at the
lowest cost
Eggs contain every essential amino acid,
fatty acid, vitamin and mineral needed by
humans (except Vitamin C)
Eggs contain highly bioavailable, functional
nutrients like choline, and the dietary
xanthophylls – lutein and zeaxanthin
Egg Nutrition Center
Safe Handling of Eggs
University of Illinois Extension