Have you ever cracked open an egg and found a little red spot on the yolk? It can be a bit alarming, especially if you’re used to pristine, perfectly yellow yolks. But before you toss that egg in the trash, take a deep breath – those red spots are actually quite common and harmless.
Blood spots, also known as meat spots, are tiny droplets of blood that appear on the surface of the yolk. They occur in about 1% of commercially sold eggs and are considered a defect by egg producers. But don’t worry, they’re not a sign of a bad egg!
These red spots happen because of a natural process within the hen. Just like our blood vessels can sometimes rupture and heal themselves, so can a hen’s. When this happens in a hen’s ovaries or oviduct – the tube that carries the egg from the ovary to the outside world – a bit of blood can end up on the yolk.
Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t mean the egg is fertilized. The blood spot is simply a result of a minor rupture in the hen’s reproductive system.
While blood spots are common, you might notice them more often if you buy eggs directly from a farmer or have your own backyard chickens. This is because commercially sold eggs are often “candled,” which involves shining a bright light through the shell to detect any imperfections, including blood spots.
You might also notice more blood spots in brown or colored eggs because they’re harder to spot through darker shells than white ones.
The good news is that blood spots are perfectly safe to eat. The United States Department of Agriculture and the Egg Safety Center agree that as long as the egg is cooked properly, there’s no reason to worry about those red spots.
The real danger comes from eating undercooked or raw eggs, which can increase your risk of salmonella infection. So, always cook your eggs thoroughly!
If you find a blood spot in your egg, don’t panic! You can simply mix it in with the rest of the egg as you cook it. Or, if you prefer, you can use a knife to scrape the blood spot off the yolk before you start cooking.
Blood spots in eggs are a natural occurrence and don’t pose any health risks. So, next time you see a red spot, don’t be afraid to cook and enjoy your egg!
