Distinguishing hard Eggs Healthy and Infected Bacteria

Behind his usefulness as a healthy food, eggs are very vulnerable to infection with Salmonella bacteria. But unfortunately, to find out if an egg is healthy or infected with the bacteria hard to do. What can be done only to prevent it.

Eggs may contain harmful food bacteria called Salmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis). These bacteria usually enter the egg through several ways, one of which is the egg shell contamination with dirt.

Can also because it already has laying hens with Salmonella bacteria in the intestines. In humans this bacteria is found in the intestines and feces (stool) especially for people who are already infected.

Can people distinguish a healthy eggs with eggs that have been infected with Salmonella bacteria?

"There is no way that can be done society to find out whether the eggs have been contaminated or not. Because Salmonella can infect any type of chicken and there is no scientific evidence that could indicate a bacteria-free eggs," said Professor Rob Gravani, a professor of food science from Cornell University, as quoted by LiveScience, Thursday (19/08/2010).

Eggs are exposed to salmonella cases must be proven through laboratory testing and can not diterawang with the naked eye.

Thus, according to Prof. Gravani if ​​there have been announcements that the egg is infected people should not eat them. Because the outside and inside infected eggs will appear normal. Another way is to consider how to cook and keep the right so that the bacteria can die.

Outbreaks of Salmonella infected eggs massively recently occurred in Atlanta USA. Local governments to attract about 380 million eggs from the market due to exposure to Salmonella outbreak.

Regulatory agency the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently carrying out an investigation to determine the cause of this outbreak of Salmonella in eggs. Investigations carried out in several places to eat are indeed present a menu of food with raw eggs, the eggs are not cooked until soft and unpasteurized eggs.

Although not able to distinguish between healthy and infected eggs, there are some specific actions that can be done to reduce the risk of Salmonella infection.

The trick, as quoted from CDC.gov is:

Do not eat eggs that are cracked or dirty (on egg shells contained chicken manure).
Washing hands, cooking utensils with soap and water after contact with raw eggs.
Eggs should be cooked until the white and yellow ripe (the temperature reached 71 degrees Celsius) and then do not put off taking them.
Do not keep eggs warm or at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Store eggs in the refrigerator if you do not want to use.
Avoid eating raw eggs.
Try not to eat at the restaurant are made with raw eggs, undercooked or not pasteurized.
Always try to keep the eggs at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit (less than 7 degrees Celsius) at all times.


If someone Salmonella poisoning, usually will have symptoms of fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea approximately 12-72 hours after eating foods that are consumed. The disease usually lasts 4-7 days.

Someone who has a weakened immune system, parents and infants are the group most vulnerable to illness due to Salmonella infection. In this group, the infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and other body parts.