Are You Wiping Your Eggs Before Storing? Read This First

Recently, a viral photo of Aliza Bigjo, a resident of Ofakim, has been making the rounds online. In it, she is seen sitting at home with a pack of wet wipes, opening a carton of eggs, and wiping them one by one. Many responded to the video, some claiming they do the same—not necessarily with wipes, but they do clean their eggs before placing them in the fridge.

"When I open the egg carton and see chicken droppings or feather remnants, it disgusts me. I wouldn't put that in the fridge, so I clean them with a general-purpose wipe that contains vinegar," she says in the video. "Even my grandchildren say, 'Grandma, look, there's poop.' Maybe using a cloth and water is better. Anyway, the wipes are handy on the table, within reach, so I use them spontaneously."

Her daughter filmed her mother and shared the video, which, as mentioned, received numerous reactions. Some viewers agreed with her, while others claimed they don't have the leisure time. "She told me there’s no one else like me doing this. I didn’t know it could be bad and introduce bacteria," Aliza recounts.

An investigation conducted by the Mako website revealed concerning findings. "Washing might damage the eggshell and allow salmonella bacteria, common in poultry intestines and droppings, to penetrate the egg," said Maayan Barnea Zohar, Ph.D. in Biochemistry of Food Science and Nutrition at the Davidson Institute.

According to her, the bacteria cause salmonellosis in humans, manifesting as diarrhea, stomach cramps, high fever, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. "Unlike fruit skins, an eggshell is much more delicate and permeable, allowing chick growth inside. If there's coarse dirt, it can be gently scraped off with a knife or washed right before cooking. In most cases, bacteria won't have enough time to thrive inside in the period between breaking the egg and using it," she adds.

Furthermore, it is recommended to encourage the consumption of eggs, which are nutritious and healthy. To continue eating them safely, buy eggs only from air-conditioned stores or markets, packaged in single-use, closed packaging. At home, remove them from the carton, dispose of it properly, and store the eggs in a designated container. After handling eggs, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and clean any utensils and surfaces that have come into contact with raw eggs to prevent the transfer of bacteria to other foods. The Ministry of Health's website advises: "If you plan to cook the egg with the shell for an extended period, like in a cholent, you can wash the egg right before use, ensuring there isn't enough time for bacteria to develop."