Why Do Eggs Have Dates on Cartons?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do eggs have dates on cartons?

The Big Idea

Eggs have dates on cartons to help stores and families use them while they are freshest! Dates help stores rotate stock, so older cartons are sold first. But how you store eggs matters just as much as the printed day.

Eggs Age

Step one: eggs age. Over time, an egg loses a little water through its shell and its white gets thinner. An older egg is still fine to eat but may not whip or poach as nicely.

Reading Dates

Step two: reading dates. Some cartons show a pack date, which tells the day the eggs were washed and packed. Others show a best-by date, a guide for quality.

Store Them Cold

Step three: store them cold. Eggs should be kept in the fridge, in their carton, so they stay cold and clean. Bacteria such as Salmonella grow more slowly in cold, so cooking eggs fully matters too.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at an egg carton! The best-by date says when eggs are at their finest. A pack date shows when they were packed. The size tells you how big the eggs are. And a note says to keep them cold.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Date plus storage means fresher cooking. Cold fridge shelves are better than the door for eggs. Cracked eggs should be thrown away. Wash your hands after touching raw eggs, and ask a grown-up to cook.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, find the pack and best-by dates on your egg carton. How many days are between them? Is your carton stored cold? Then see whether your carton has been kept cold.

Outro

Dates and cold storage help eggs stay fresh and safe. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!