How To Tell If Eggs Are Undercooked

If you want to know how to determine if your eggs are undercooked, look no further. Eggs are a nutrient-dense and protein-rich food that can be cooked in many different ways. From scrambled to fried to poached, eggs can be a tasty and nutritious part of a healthy and well-balanced diet. However, it's important to make sure your eggs are cooked all the way through before you eat them.

So how can you tell if your eggs are undercooked or not? As turns out, raw or undercooked eggs are often runny and tend to ooze (via Our Everyday Life). For example, when a fried egg is undercooked, the yolk is much more runny than usual. To make sure your fried eggs are fully cooked, you should fry them for two to three minutes or until you see the yolk start to thicken. Because there's good reason to avoid eating undercooked eggs. 

Failing to fully cook your eggs can result in food poisoning. According to Delish, eggs can sometimes carry salmonella bacteria. If you consume an undercooked egg that's contaminated with the bacteria, you could acquire a salmonella infection. You'll know within 12 to 72 hours if you've eaten contaminated food, because you'll experience one or more gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever (via Medical News Today). Food poisoning can be especially risky for infants, children, older adults, and those who are pregnant or immunocompromised.

That's why it's a good idea to follow FDA and USDA tips for handling eggs safely. First, store eggs in a refrigerator with a temperature at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and make sure your hands are washed before and after you handle raw eggs. If an egg is cracked or damaged in any way, throw it away and do not eat it. Also, make sure your eggs have an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit before you eat them. The whites of the eggs should always be completely cooked, while the yolks should be somewhat firm (per Medical News Today).