Can You Eat Eggs One Day Out Of Date?

Eggs are a refrigerator staple in most homes, but what should you do if you notice they’re one day past their date? Concerns about food safety and waste often clash in this moment of fridge foraging. Understanding whether eggs can be safely consumed shortly after their printed date can help you make smarter, healthier decisions—while also cutting down on unnecessary waste.

Essential Highlights

Eggs stored properly in the fridge often remain safe to eat one day—and even several weeks—past their expiration date.
Conducting a simple float or sniff test is more reliable than the printed date for determining egg freshness.
Egg quality gradually declines after the best-before date, but this usually means changes in texture, not safety.
People in high-risk groups (pregnant, elderly, young children, immunocompromised) should exercise more caution but can often safely eat runny or out-of-date eggs if British Lion-marked.
Always cook eggs thoroughly if their provenance or storage is uncertain.
When in doubt, visit Can You Eat for more food safety guides.

Understanding Egg Expiration Dates
How Long Are Eggs Safe After the Expiry Date?
How to Test Egg Freshness at Home
Risks of Eating Out-of-Date Eggs
Best Practices for Storing Eggs
Who Should Be Extra Careful?
Creative Ways to Use Up Eggs Nearing Their Date
FAQ: Eating Eggs Past Their Date

Understanding Egg Expiration Dates

Egg cartons come labeled with dates—but not all dates mean the same thing.
Egg packages may list a best before, use by, or expiration date. Contrary to popular belief, passing these dates doesn’t instantly make eggs unsafe. In the UK, eggs generally have a best before date set no later than 28 days after laying. In the US, the expiry or sell by date is often used, with eggs considered safe for 3–5 weeks past the packing date when properly refrigerated[5][7].

Best before speaks to peak quality, not safety.
Expiration or use by is a conservative estimate, but stores often set these earlier than necessary for legal and safety reasons[4][5][7].

For the most up-to-date guidance, consult resources like Can You Eat Eggs One Day Out Of Date.

How Long Are Eggs Safe After the Expiry Date?

Eggs can last significantly past their printed date if refrigerated.
In the UK and US, eggs stored at or below 40°F (4°C) can stay fresh for up to four to five weeks beyond the packing or best-before date[7]. The US Department of Agriculture supports eating eggs up to 45 days from processing[1][7], and UK guidelines note that quality rather than safety is the primary concern after the expiry date[5][7].

An egg one day out of date is almost always safe if it’s been correctly stored[4][7].
After the date, egg quality will gradually deteriorate (runny whites, less domed yolks) but will still be safe to eat if there’s no sign of spoilage[7].

Summary:
For most households, eggs that are one day past their date and have been in the fridge are not only safe but still perfectly usable[4][7][8].

How to Test Egg Freshness at Home

Don’t rely only on dates—use these simple checks.

1. The Float Test

Fill a bowl with cold water and gently place the egg in.
- Sinks and lays flat: Fresh and safe.
- Sinks but stands upright: Still good, but use soon.
- Floats to the top: Likely spoiled—do not eat[4][7].

2. The Sniff Test

Crack the egg open and smell it.
- Fresh eggs have little or no scent.
- Bad eggs have a strong, unpleasant odor—discard immediately[4][7].

3. Visual Inspection

Look for signs of spoilage: pink, green, or iridescent tinge, or an unusual appearance.
Minor cloudiness usually just means the egg is very fresh.

For more food testing guides, visit Can You Eat.

Risks of Eating Out-of-Date Eggs

Fresh eggs are naturally well-protected, but spoilage is possible.
The main risk with old eggs is salmonella or other bacteria, though properly stored eggs are unlikely to harbor enough bacteria to make most people sick—even beyond their best-before date[2][5].

Common signs of spoilage: Strong odor, floating in water, strange appearance.
Even if expired, eggs rarely cause issues when cooked thoroughly.
Eggs produced under the British Lion Code have very low salmonella risk, even for vulnerable groups[2][5].

External reference:
Read more about egg safety from NHS – Food safety and eggs, Food Standards Agency, and Food Safety.gov.

Best Practices for Storing Eggs

Proper storage can extend egg safety and freshness.

Keep eggs in their carton to slow moisture loss and protect from absorbing fridge odors[7].
Store eggs in the main body of the fridge, not the door, to avoid temperature swings[7].
Keep refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C) at all times[7].
Do not wash eggs before storing, as this removes their natural protective coating.
If uncertain about your fridge temperature, use a thermometer for accuracy.

Who Should Be Extra Careful?

Certain groups should be stricter about egg freshness.

Pregnant women, elderly, young children, and immunocompromised individuals need to avoid undercooked or questionable eggs[2][5].
British Lion-marked eggs are considered safe even for soft or raw preparations among these groups, except the severely immunocompromised[2][5].
If eggs are not Lion Code or provenance is unclear, always cook thoroughly.

For tailored advice, see Can You Eat Eggs One Day Out Of Date.

Creative Ways to Use Up Eggs Nearing Their Date

Don’t let good eggs go to waste—get creative!

Hard boil or scramble them as quick, easy snacks.
Bake into cakes, quiches, or frittatas.
Make homemade ice cream or custard—these are ideal for using up multiple eggs at once.
Add to fried rice or toss into bread pudding for a protein boost.
For more inspiration, find egg recipes from BBC Good Food or EatingWell.

FAQ: Eating Eggs Past Their Date

1. How long after the date can you eat eggs if kept in the fridge?
Eggs can typically be eaten up to three to five weeks after the best-before date if properly refrigerated and show no signs of spoilage.[4][7]

2. What’s the most reliable way to check if eggs are still good?
The float test and sniff test are reliable, with the float test showing if eggs are fresh or too old, and the sniff test identifying strong spoilage odors.[4]

3. Can I eat dishes with runny or raw eggs past the expiry date?
If the eggs are British Lion-marked and have only just passed their date, vulnerable groups can generally eat runny eggs, but always err on the side of caution and check for freshness.[2][5]

4. Will out-of-date eggs make me sick?
Not necessarily—most eggs are still safe to eat after their date, but you risk food poisoning if you eat eggs that are truly spoiled or stored incorrectly.[4][7]

5. Do eggs go bad faster if stored in the fridge door?
Yes, because the temperature fluctuates more in the door, which can hasten spoilage. Keep eggs in their carton on a shelf inside the fridge.[7]

6. Should I avoid eggs past the date if I’m pregnant or immunocompromised?
Yes—unless using British Lion-marked eggs, which are considered very safe in the UK. When in doubt, cook eggs thoroughly or discard if unsure.[2][5]

7. Where can I learn more about egg safety and food use-by dates?
Find more detailed guides at Can You Eat, NHS – Food safety and eggs, and the Food Standards Agency.

Need more answers? Visit the full egg safety guide at Can You Eat.

Can You Eat Eggs One Day Out Of Date