Effects of cold-water egg shell washing on Salmonella contamination in the shell and its contents

Abstract

Background: Egg shell washing is one of the simple and inexpensive methods using by many people to clean egg shells. Objective: In this study, the effects of egg shell washing (with 5° C water) on salmonella contamination of shell and its contents was assessment during refrigerated storage for 20 d. Methods: The 60 eggs samples chosen from Qazvin markets. Egg samples were divided into control (without washing) and cold-washed group with cold water. Salmonella contamination in egg samples was studied before and after washing during cold storage (1, 5, 10, 15, 20 d). Findings: Salmonella was not isolated in any of the treatments after washing with cold water during refrigerated storage.Washing with cold water followed by storage in the refrigerator led to destroying of Salmonella contamination in eggs. Also, no contamination was found in any of egg contents. Conclusion: Cold water washing, as a simple and low-cost method at the community level can be used to improve the health of eggs and shells.

Keywords

• Eggs
• Health
• Salmonella
• Washing
• Shelf life