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 Don’t eat raw eggs Buy clean eggs from refrigerator display case Store eggs safely/properly at home 40° F Coldest part of the refrigerator Do not wash eggs

PROPER EGG USAGE (cont) Use eggs promptly – 3-5 weeks Serve immediately 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 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 4% energy 13% protein 23% choline 14% riboflavin 11% vitamin B12 6% folate 5% vitamin A 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) Whole Egg Egg Albumin Egg Yolk Weight (%) 100 66 34 Water (g) 37.9 28.9 8.9 Energy-kcal 73.5 17.2 54.7 Protein (g) 6.29 3.60 2.70 Lipid (g) 4.97 0.06 4.51 Sugars (g) 0.39 0.24 0.10 Egg Nutrition Center

Egg Protein 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 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 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 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 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

University of Illinois Extension Safe Handling of Eggs University of Illinois Extension