Have you ever cracked an egg only to discover a small red blood spot inside? If so, what did you do with it? Did you discard the egg, or did you simply shrug it off and continue cooking? Many people are uncertain about whether eggs with these spots are still safe to eat. In this article, we’ll clarify why these spots occur, what they mean, and whether the eggs are still safe to consume.

Have you ever cracked an egg only to discover a small red blood spot inside? If yes, what did you do with it? Did you discard the egg, or did you shrug your shoulders and continue cooking with it? Many people are uncertain about whether eggs with these spots are still safe to eat. In this article, we’ll clarify why these spots occur, what they mean, and whether the eggs are still safe to consume.

Are Eggs With Blood Spots Safe To Eat?

Yes, they are – as long as these eggs are properly cooked. They are completely harmless and won’t lead to any illness. You can continue cooking with them as normal. If you desire, you can also use the tip of a k-nife or something equally as small to remove the spot before cooking.

Additionally, egg whites may contain brown meat spots. These are little pieces of tissue picked up by the egg as it passes through the oviduct. They are also completely harmless. On the other hand, if an egg white is red, pink, or green in color, this egg should be discarded. It likely means that a potentially dangerous bacteria has grown in that egg and could make you sick.

How Many Eggs Have Blood Spots?

Fewer than 1% of eggs contain blood spots, and if you’re purchasing eggs from a grocery store, it’s unlikely you’ll come across one. This is because the grading process typically identifies and removes eggs with blood spots using a method called “candling,” where bright light is used to spot imperfections. As a result, eggs with blood spots rarely reach consumers. It’s important to note that this is not a health concern, but more about the fact that these eggs aren’t visually appealing to people.

However, with farm-fresh eggs, you’re more likely to encounter an occasional blood spot. These eggs don’t go through the same grading process, and farmers don’t have access to the same technology. Additionally, brown eggs are more prone to having spots because their darker shells make them harder to detect.