The expiration date on the egg carton has passed.

Are the eggs okay to eat?

Here’s what the experts say.

Carton of eggs on the counter and some blue and yellow lines in the lower right corner of the photo

Simply Recipes / Photo Illustration by Wanda Abraham / Getty Images

Our craving for eggs is never consistent.

Here’s what I found out.

Heres what they mean.

Egs and flour in a bowl with a whisk, sitting on a white kitchen towel, and in the surroundings, a measuring spoons, an egg, and a small bowl

Simply Recipes / Getty Images

January 1 is 001 and December 31 is 365.

This is the same as EXP or an expiration date.

On USDA-grade eggs, it must be within 45 days of the pack date.

scrambled eggs on a plate

Simply Recipes / Getty Images

Simply Recipes / Getty Images

Are Expired Eggs Safe To Eat?

Air penetrates the shell and moisture evaporates.

This is why sometimes people will do a float test to see if an egg is fresh.

A fresh egg will sink in water while an older egg can float because of the air inside.

Thats when you have to do a smell test and look for issues with the shell.

For an egg to be considered spoiled… it develops an off-odor, Tuell says.

Of course, when in doubt, do not eat the eggs and compost them instead.