Have you ever cracked open an egg and noticed a small red blood spot inside? If so, what did you do? Did you discard the egg immediately, or did you continue cooking as usual?

Many people feel uncertain when they come across blood spots in eggs, unsure if they are still safe to eat. This uncertainty often leads to unnecessary food waste. To clear up the confusion, let’s explore what causes these spots, what they indicate, and whether or not consuming such eggs is safe.

Are Eggs With Blood Spots Safe to Eat?

If your biggest concern is whether eggs with blood spots are safe to eat, the answer is yes—as long as they are properly cooked. These spots do not pose any health risks, and consuming them will not cause illness. Blood spots are simply a natural occurrence and do not indicate spoilage or contamination.

You can cook the egg as you normally would. However, if the sight of the blood spot bothers you, you can easily remove it using the tip of a knife or a spoon before cooking.

Why Do Blood Spots Appear in Eggs?

Blood spots form naturally during egg production. They occur when a small blood vessel in the hen’s ovary or oviduct ruptures while the egg is being formed. This minor rupture causes a tiny amount of blood to be deposited inside the egg. It is important to note that this does not mean the egg is fertilized or unsafe to eat—it’s simply a cosmetic imperfection.

Egg producers use a process called candling to inspect eggs under a bright light to detect and remove those with blood spots before they reach the market. However, some eggs with blood spots still make it onto store shelves because spotting them in darker-shelled eggs is more difficult than in white eggs.

What About Other Discolorations in Eggs?

While blood spots are harmless, some other unusual colors in eggs may indicate a problem. For instance, small brown meat spots may sometimes appear in egg whites. These are tiny fragments of reproductive tissue that were picked up by the egg as it traveled through the oviduct. Like blood spots, they are harmless and do not affect the egg’s taste or nutritional value.

However, if an egg white appears pink, red, or green, it should be discarded immediately. This type of discoloration is often a sign of bacterial contamination, which can pose a serious health risk.

Should You Discard an Egg With a Blood Spot?

Since blood spots do not indicate spoilage, there is no need to throw away an otherwise fresh and nutritious egg. Some people mix the blood spot into their meal without a second thought, while others prefer to remove it before cooking. Either choice is perfectly acceptable, as long as the egg is fully cooked to eliminate any potential bacteria.

How Can You Avoid Finding Blood Spots in Eggs?

If you’d rather not deal with eggs that contain blood spots, consider purchasing eggs from brands that use advanced candling techniques to detect and remove them more efficiently. Commercially produced eggs are carefully screened, but some spots still go unnoticed.

If you have backyard chickens, you may notice blood spots more frequently. This is because eggs from free-range and organic hens tend to have a slightly higher likelihood of containing these spots due to less intensive screening. Additionally, stress, age, and dietary factors can increase the likelihood of hens laying eggs with blood spots. Providing a balanced diet and reducing stress can help minimize occurrences.

The Bottom Line

Blood spots in eggs may be unappealing, but they are harmless and safe to eat when properly cooked. They do not affect the egg’s taste, texture, or nutritional value. If you come across one, you can choose to cook the egg as usual or remove the spot before use.

However, if you notice an egg with a pink, red, or green-tinted egg white, it should be thrown away immediately, as these colors indicate bacterial contamination.

So, the next time you crack open an egg and find a blood spot, don’t panic! Now that you understand why it happens and that it’s safe to eat, you can confidently decide how to handle it. Instead of wasting perfectly good eggs, embrace this natural occurrence and enjoy your meal.