A viral egg trend on TikTok shows users freezing whole eggs of their shells, slicing them in half and frying them into tiny “mini eggs.” The strategy has gained thousands and thousands of views across multiple waves on the platform, resurfacing repeatedly as latest users discover the hack and check out it for themselves. It looks satisfying — the miniature eggs make for eye-catching content — however the FDA and USDA at the moment are warning that the trick will be dangerous and mustn’t be attempted at home, citing food safety risks including potential salmonella exposure.
Here’s what food safety agencies want you to know before you are attempting it.
Why Freezing Eggs in Their Shells Creates a Food Safety Problem
The FDA and USDA caution against freezing eggs of their shells, and the explanation comes right down to basic physics. Liquids expand when frozen. That expansion may cause eggshells to crack.
The cracks are the core of the issue. They don’t should be visible to cause harm. In line with agency guidance, even when cracks can’t be seen with the naked eye, they’ll compromise the egg’s protective barrier and permit bacteria to enter. An eggshell that appears fully intact on the skin may already be compromised in ways you may’t detect just by it.
The agencies also note that freezing doesn’t kill bacteria already present on or contained in the egg. Consequently, contaminated eggs may result in foodborne illness, including salmonella. If bacteria were present before the egg went into the freezer, they survive the freezing process intact and remain a threat when the egg is later thawed, sliced and cooked.
What Salmonella Actually Does to Your Body
“Salmonella are a gaggle of bacteria that may cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis,” per the FDA. While some individuals may not develop symptoms, others can turn into seriously unwell.
The danger is higher for vulnerable groups, including children, older adults, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems. For this reason, officials warn that the TikTok “mini fried egg” trend is very unsafe for youths.
What the Viral TikTok Videos Actually Show
Look closely on the viral TikTok videos promoting this trend and the food safety concerns turn into visible right on screen. A few of the clips show eggs coming out of freezers visibly cracked before being sliced and cooked. The shells have already fractured from the liquid expanding inside them — the precise issue that food safety agencies are warning about.
Commenters on the platform have raised concerns in regards to the method as well. Some have referenced past versions of the trend and warned about earlier reports of food poisoning linked to similar behavior. The trend has resurfaced on TikTok after gaining thousands and thousands of views in earlier waves, however the underlying food safety risks remain the identical no matter how again and again the videos go viral or what number of latest users give the tactic a try.
Freeze Eggs Safely
Eggs will be frozen safely — but not of their shells. The FDA recommends cracking eggs first and freezing them in a freezer-safe container. They will be frozen either as scrambled whole eggs or as separated whites.
Listed below are the important thing guidelines from federal food safety agencies for anyone who desires to store eggs within the freezer the fitting way:
- Frozen eggs must be used inside one 12 months.
- To arrange frozen eggs for cooking, thaw them within the refrigerator overnight and cook immediately afterward.
- Thawing at room temperature shouldn’t be really helpful.
How Eggs Should Be Cooked to Reduce Salmonella Risk
Beyond proper storage, the way you cook eggs also matters for food safety. USDA guidance states that eggs must be cooked until each yolks and whites are firm to scale back the chance of salmonella. The runny yolk that many individuals prefer does carry more risk than a completely cooked one.
Vulnerable groups — young children, pregnant people, elderly individuals and immunocompromised people — are advised to avoid runny or undercooked eggs altogether.
The frozen egg trend makes for eye-catching content on TikTok, however the food safety risks behind it are real and backed by warnings from each the FDA and USDA. If you should freeze eggs for later use, skip the viral method. Crack the eggs out of their shells first, store them properly in a freezer-safe container and cook them thoroughly while you’re able to eat.