Nearly everything is It’s more expensive today than it was a year agoespecially eggs. Compared to January of last year, prices of meat, poultry, fish and eggs increased by 8.1%, according to the Consumer Price Index. data.
The soaring price of this grocery item is causing some to turn to unconventional ways of preserving – such as preserving eggs. lyophilized.
And, who can blame them for finding new ways to save food?
If you’re planning to switch to freeze-dried eggs, here are some tips on how to do so safely, from Donald Schaffner, a professor of food science at Rutgers University.
Also, tips on how to make the most money from fresh eggs.
How to safely consume freeze-dried eggs
Many people are turning to freeze-dried eggs as another way to add the expensive protein to their diets.
It’s too much to”freeze-dried eggs” has more than 850 million views on TikTok. Videos show people using freeze-dried, powdered eggs to make porridge for breakfast.
While some people are buying ready-made freeze-dried eggs, others are trying to freeze-dried themselves at home, which raises some concerns among medical professionals.
“It makes a difference whether it’s commercially prepared food or something you’re making at home,” says Schaffner.
People are encouraged to heat eggs to 160 degrees F to avoid the risk of exposure to salmonella bacteria, according to United States Department of Agriculture.
Some freeze-drying procedures circulating online recommend the use of a tabletop food dehydrator, and not all can reach 160 degrees F.
“If those freeze-dried eggs are made from raw eggs and you haven’t cooked them before you eat them, then you run the risk of getting salmonella,” says Schaffner.
“I would say if you cook it to 160 degrees F, that gives you a high degree of safety.”
Your safest bet, though, is to eat freeze-dried eggs made by a reputable company, rather than doing the whole process yourself at home, says Schaffner.
A spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration said: TODAY that they are not “aware of any proven procedures that consumers can use to safely dehydrate or freeze eggs at home.”
A food scientist’s advice for preserving eggs
If you don’t want to sell freeze-dried eggs or feel like it’s too risky, there are several ways to keep fresh eggs in your refrigerator, says Schaffner.
He suggests these two simple steps to help your eggs last as long as possible:
- Buy a thermometer for your refrigerator
- Keep your refrigerator at 40 degrees F or cooler, but not cold enough to freeze eggs. “That will give you a long shelf life on your eggs, and salmonella won’t grow or multiply at 40 degrees Fahrenheit,” says Schaffner.
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