Is It Still Safe to Feed My Kids Eggs? We Asked 5 Experts

Eggs are an excellent source of nutrition; they provide kids with choline, protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B, and selenium. There are so many ways to make eggs for kids, too, from egg-in-a-hole to classic scrambled eggs. With concerns over highly pathogenic avian influenza — more commonly referred to as bird flu — abound, many parents are wondering whether it’s safe to feed their kids eggs right now. We wondered, too, so we asked five experts, including pediatricians and registered dietitians.

Will eggs make my kid sick?

When handled and cooked properly, the short answer is no. “The likelihood eggs from infected poultry make it into our food chain is low because of the rapid onset of symptoms in poultry and frequent testing of flocks,” explained Pediatric Registered Dietitian and owner of Nourished Pediatrics, Danielle Zold. Birds with bird flu typically get sick very quickly and stop laying eggs. Zold further explained that when we cook eggs, the risk gets even lower. Be sure to cook them thoroughly, though. The CDC recommends cooking eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F to kill viruses, including bird flu. Cooking eggs to this temperature also kills other health threats like salmonella.

Pediatrician Daniel Ganjian explained that the yolk and the white of the egg should be firm by the time they’re done cooking. Knowing what a well-cooked egg looks like is helpful if you don’t have a food thermometer (although if you’re in the market for one, I’m a fan of this digital thermometer).

Even though the risk of contracting bird flu via eggs is extremely low, here are some tips to help reduce the risk even further.

• Opt for egg preparation methods that fully cook the eggs, such as scrambled or hard-boiled. Avoid preparation methods that don’t fully cook the eggs, such as sunny-side-up or soft-boiled.

• Wash your hands before and after handling eggs.

• Avoid cross-contamination by using separate utensils for eggs and cleaning any surfaces the eggs touched.

• Always err on the side of caution. If you’re unsure if your eggs are safe, toss them.

• Never eat raw eggs (that means no tasting raw cookie dough!).

What about fresh, local eggs?

Jennifer House MSc, RD, family-based registered dietitian and founder of First Step Nutrition, explained that the eggs you buy in the grocery store are inspected, washed, and sanitized. But what about fresh, local eggs? It’s common for people with farms or even backyard chicken flocks to sell eggs, and these are often unwashed. This is because washing removes a protective outer layer that can help keep out bacteria.

There may be slightly more risk in handling local eggs because they have not been inspected nor passed any safety standards like eggs at the grocery store have. Because sick birds tend to stop laying eggs, however, it’s still rather unlikely that you’ll come into contact with bird flu when handling eggs from backyard flocks. However, it’s important to take the same precautions you would with store-bought eggs. Wash your hands after handling eggs, clean any surfaces the eggs touched, and cook them to at least 165˚F.

Are eggs safe?

The verdict is in: Yes, eggs are safe. The nutritional benefits of eggs for kids outweigh the nearly negligible risks of contracting bird flu via eggs. Simply be sure to handle and cook them properly, and your kids can continue enjoying their scrambled eggs for breakfast.

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