In simple terms:
The date on the carton is helpful information, but it isn't a substitute for safe food handling.
How Should Eggs Be Stored?
Knowing how to read an egg carton is helpful, but proper storage is just as important.
Keep Eggs Refrigerated
The FDA recommends keeping eggs refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below.
After purchasing them, refrigerate them promptly rather than leaving them at room temperature for an extended period.
Keep Eggs in Their Original Carton
The original carton helps protect the shells and keeps the identifying codes and dates available.
It can also help prevent eggs from absorbing strong odors from other foods in the refrigerator.
Store Eggs in the Main Refrigerator Compartment
Many refrigerators have egg holders built into the door, but the temperature in the door can fluctuate more frequently.
For more consistent refrigeration, USDA recommends storing eggs in the main refrigerator compartment rather than the door.
Don't Wash Commercial Eggs at Home
If you're purchasing commercially processed eggs, washing them again at home isn't recommended.
According to USDA guidance, washing eggs at home can potentially increase contamination risk by allowing water to move through the shell's pores.
How Long Can Refrigerated Eggs Last?
Under proper refrigeration, USDA guidance says shell eggs can generally be kept in the refrigerator for approximately three to five weeks from the day they are placed in the refrigerator.
For best quality, the FDA recommends using refrigerated eggs within about three weeks.
These recommendations assume the eggs have been properly refrigerated and handled.
If eggs have been exposed to unsafe temperatures or handled improperly, the printed carton date cannot make them safe.
What Should You Do If the Carton Date Has Passed?
Don't automatically assume that eggs are unsafe simply because the date printed on the carton has passed.
Instead, consider the bigger picture:
- Have the eggs been continuously refrigerated?
- Is the carton intact and identifiable?
- Are any shells cracked or damaged?
- Do the eggs show obvious signs of spoilage after being cracked?
- Have they been handled and stored properly?
Food dates generally communicate quality rather than automatically marking the exact moment food becomes unsafe.
However, eggs that have been improperly stored, badly damaged, or show clear signs of spoilage should be discarded.
When you're uncertain about eggs that have been exposed to unsafe temperatures or questionable handling conditions, it's safest not to eat them.
Don't Forget About Safe Cooking
Proper storage isn't the only important safety step.
Even fresh, refrigerated eggs can potentially carry Salmonella. The FDA recommends cooking eggs until the white and yolk are firm.
For foods containing eggs, thorough cooking is especially important.
Using a food thermometer can provide an additional layer of confidence. The FDA recommends cooking egg-containing dishes such as casseroles to 160°F (71°C).
If you're preparing recipes that contain raw or undercooked eggs—such as certain homemade desserts, sauces, or other dishes—consider using pasteurized eggs or pasteurized egg products when appropriate.
Egg Carton Code Cheat Sheet
| Carton Marking | What It Generally Means |
|---|---|
| 3-digit number | Packing date expressed as the day of the year |
| Sell By | Retail inventory or stock-rotation date |
| Best By / Best Before | Expected quality period |
| Use By | Recommended quality-use date |
| P-#### | Processing or packing plant identification |
Exact labeling requirements can vary depending on where you live, so not every carton will necessarily use the same markings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the three-digit number tell me when the eggs expire?
No. On USDA-graded egg cartons, the three-digit number represents the packing date, written as the day of the year. It isn't simply an expiration date.
Are eggs automatically bad after the sell-by date?
Not necessarily. A sell-by date is primarily used to help retailers manage inventory. Proper refrigeration and handling are still essential.
Should eggs be stored in the refrigerator door?
It's generally better to store them in the main refrigerator compartment, where temperatures tend to remain more stable. Keeping them in their original carton is also recommended.
What does the “P” followed by numbers mean?
The P generally represents a plant identification number, helping identify the facility associated with processing or packing the eggs.
Can eggs be unsafe even before the carton date passes?
Yes. Fresh eggs can potentially contain Salmonella, and improper storage or handling can increase food-safety risks. A carton date alone cannot guarantee that eggs are safe.
The Bottom Line
Egg carton codes aren't quite as mysterious as they first appear.
The numbers and dates can tell you useful things about when eggs were packed, where they were processed, and how their quality dates should be interpreted.
Instead of relying on one number, consider the entire picture. Keep eggs refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below, leave them in their original carton, handle them carefully, and cook them thoroughly.
Once you understand the three-digit packing date, sell-by information, and plant code, reading an egg carton becomes much easier.
And rather than automatically throwing eggs away because one date has passed, you'll have a better understanding of how freshness, quality, storage, and food safety all fit together.
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