Are eggs left in car trunk for 3 days safe to eat?

Question

I had purchased eggs at the supermarket and i forgot them in the trunk of my car for for 3 days are they still okay to eat?

Answer 1

Would you risk getting sick for ~ $4. It's not like you left a tin of Beluga caviar in the trunk for 3 days. Toss them!

Answer 2

In Europe, eggs are always stored out of the fridge and last there for weeks, so I'd say yes they are safe.

Answer 3

As long as the temperature there was not above, say, 21 degrees Celsius. Eggs can be stored at room temperature, though I still like to put mine in the refrigerator.

Answer 4

They are probably OK as long as they didn't get too hot, but you should test them before eating. Here's how:

Fill a bowl with cold water and place an egg inside.
If it sinks to the bottom, it's good.
If it sinks but stands on its point, it's good, but won't be good for much longer and should be used soon.
If it floats, toss it.

As far as refrigerating eggs in the U.S. vs. European room temperature storage:

"In some European countries, egg-laying hens are vaccinated against salmonella. In the U.S., vaccination is not required, but eggs must be washed and refrigerated from farm to store, and producers must follow a host of other safety measures."

Why The U.S. Chills Its Eggs And Most Of The World Doesn't — September 11, 2014, Rae Ellen Bichell, NPR Eating And Health

Also, commercially produced American eggs are washed with soap and hot, steamy water after collecting which removes a thin protective layer from the shell, which can effect shelf life at room temp. As long as you use the water bowl test, you're good to go.

Answer 5

Test eggs by submerging them in water. If they float, they are bad and filled with gasses. If they remain on bottom, they're fine. Dry and refrigerate.

Answer 6

Even if the egg was filled with pathogens, as long as the eggs are cooked completely (meaning no runny yellow or white) then they would still be safe to eat. CDC website states that cooking eggs this way sufficiently renders any and all salmonella that may be in the egg completely harmless. Hotdogs and cold cut meats are also prone to these types of pathogens and most people don’t worry about them. I still advise my pregnant patients to heat hotdogs and cold cuts to steaming in the microwave for safety. You can always wave your plate of cold cuts in front of the freezer right after to cook them back down if you’re craving a cold - cold cut sandwich.

But back to the eggs, I understand not wanting to waste food by tossing it but if despite using the egg sink/ float method AND cooking it sufficiently to kill bacteria. If you’re still worried, then just buy a new dozen. It sucks to waste money and food but what truly matters at the end of the day is your own comfort level and peace of mind (if you can’t find peace with eating the eggs after doing the above). But a new dozen and move on. I know this post is old but I found it and wanted to chime in since people are still checking this post for answers.