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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer urges all Kentuckians to have a safe and enjoyable Easter holiday.
“The Kentucky Department of Agriculture inspects eggs as one of its duties as a consumer protection and service agency,” Commissioner Farmer said. “We want Kentucky consumers to enjoy eggs safely, and that’s especially true at Easter. Parents can take a few common-sense steps to make sure the eggs they decorate and hide for Easter egg hunts are safe for their kids to eat.”
Here are a few suggestions from the American Egg Board:
After decorating your eggs, refrigerate them as soon as possible. Refrigeration is an absolute must for eggs, since cold temperatures maintain quality and slow spoilage. Keep those eggs in the refrigerator until the Easter egg hunt. As long as the eggs are not out of refrigeration more than two hours and did not crack during the hunt, they will be safe for consumption. Following the hunt, if the eggs are not consumed, it is all right to refrigerate them again.
When left in their shells, hard-cooked eggs will remain edible for one week; however, if you prefer to peel the egg, put it in a tightly closed container or wrap it with moisture-proof material and use within two to three days.
If you are considering freezing your hard-cooked Easter eggs, keep in mind the yolk will freeze well for toppings and garnishes, but the whites become tough. Eggs should be thawed in the refrigerator overnight and used within 24 hours.
For more information, call the KDA’s Division of Regulation and Inspection at (502) 573-0282 and ask for an egg regulation specialist.
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