Should You Rinse Eggs Before Cooking? The Truth Explained

They were taught to do so by family

They think it removes dirt or bacteria

They use eggs from a backyard coop where shells may have visible debris

While the intention is good, washing eggs right before cooking doesn’t make them safer unless you plan to cook them immediately and handle them carefully.

The Safer Practice

Do not rinse store-bought eggs before cracking

Wash your hands after handling raw eggs

Clean surfaces that touch egg shells

Cook eggs thoroughly if safety is a concern

If an egg shell is visibly dirty, gently wipe it with a dry paper towel instead of rinsing.

What About Backyard Eggs?

For fresh eggs collected at home:

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