Easter and Passover Egg Safety Should Not be Forgotton this Holiday Season!

After an especially long, isolated and hard winter, spring appears to be on its way with the arrival of Passover and Easter. Eggs are a big part of both Easter and Passover, however if not handled correctly, they can cause food poisoning. Salmonella bacteria can be found on both the outside and inside of eggs and can cause severe food poisoning symptoms such as cramps, fever, diarrhea and vomiting. To prevent illness and keep the holidays safe, here are 10 Easter and Passover egg safety tips from Security Specialists:

1. Always buy “in-shell” pasteurized eggs to reduce salmonella risk associated with unpasteurized  fresh or organic egg.
2. Always use clean, fresh eggs and open the carton to make sure they look fresh and are intact.
3. Never use cracked eggs because of bacteria risk.
4. Always cook eggs thoroughly until the egg white and yolk are firm. Dishes with eggs in the recipe must be cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C)
5. Always wash your hands before and after handling eggs with soap and water…and don’t forget the kids as well. Wash often when preparing, cooking and coloring eggs.
6. Remember to wash all surfaces that come into contact with raw eggs including countertops, pans, dishes and utensils.
7. Use only “food-safe” dyes for decorating eggs and exercise care when hiding and hunting eggs to make sure you avoid areas where they could come in contact with pets, wild animals or lawn chemicals.
8. Always refrigerate your eggs at 40°F or below and make sure you place them well inside the refrigerator. Once hard-cooked, refrigerated eggs can be stored for up to one week.
9. Eat or refrigerate eggs within 2 hours after cooking.
10. Never eat eggs that have been left at room temperature for more than 2 hours.