Does One Egg Mean the Whole Carton Is Bad?
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Finding a blood spot in one egg doesn’t affect the rest of the carton. Each egg develops individually, so one egg with a blood spot doesn’t indicate a problem with the others.
How Common Are Blood Spots?
Blood spots are uncommon but completely normal. Commercial egg producers use a process called candling, in which eggs are inspected under bright light before packaging. Most eggs with noticeable blood spots are removed during this process, but an occasional one can still reach the grocery store.
Can You Check an Egg Before Cracking It?
You can’t reliably detect a small blood spot from the outside.
If you’re checking for freshness, you can:
- Look for cracks in the shell.
- Store eggs in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below.
- Use the float test if you’re unsure of an egg’s age (older eggs are more likely to float because their air cell enlarges over time).
