01, 2023
An egg carton’s expiration date is not as reliable as it seems.
Here’s how to tell if eggs are fresh.
Chances are you almostalwayshave eggs in your fridge.
Whether baked, scrambled or poached, theyre one of the most versatile items on the grocery list.
(Heres how to choose the best eggs at the store.)
No, its not an arbitrary serial number; its the Julian date, your fail-safe guide tofresh eggs.
Ranging from 001 to 365, the Julian date represents the day the eggs were packaged.
Once the eggs are packaged, theyll keep in your fridge for four to five weeks.
Psst:Heres how long your other grocery staples will last.
So even if theyre in stock and not expired, they might beweeksold.Eew!
Ever notice that egg yolks were different shades?
So, Why Does It Matter?
Its obvious newly packaged eggs taste better, but an eggs quality can significantly deteriorate over time.
And when you eat old, expired eggs, your risk of getting a food-borne disease from them increases.
As for the code starting with a P right next to the Julian date?
Thats the plant code, which represents where the eggs were packaged.
If theres an egg recall, the plant code will determine whether your carton is included.
If youre buying eggs later in the year, look for the highest number possible.
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