Eggs? Do they have to be pasturized?

[Dorchies]

Hi All, I'm 5 weeks pregnant. We normally buy our eggs from a local friend who has chickens in her garden. Does anyone know if it's still ok for me to eat them or should they be treated in some way? My DP wont let me eat them, and I really want to!

[franke]

Yes you can eat them, but you have to cook them through - no runny yolks AIUI if the yolk is still runny you run the risk of salmonella (which doesn't actually harm your unborn baby but is pretty unpleasant for you).

[mrsgboring]

Franke is right, though there is also a risk to the pregnancy from salmonella, because severe diarrohea cramps can sometimes cause miscarriage.

[tortoiseshell]

franke is right. It's probable that they are salmonella free, as most hybrid chickens are vaccinated against salmonella. However I don't think I would risk eating a runny yolk, so just make sure the yolk is solid.

Shop bought eggs have a lion stamp on them which guarantees they are salmonella free for a certain amount of time I think.

Having said all that, you're probably fine eating the eggs, even with runny yolks - and if you've never had salmonella before from eating the eggs, they probably are salmonella free. I would still eat our eggs if pg.

[dilbertina]

Well I eat eggs from my chickens when pregnant....TBH I'm happier with quality of my eggs copmpared to eg supermarket. I know exactly how fresh they really are etc. Fresh eggs are never pasteurised in any case. More important is to make sure they are properly cooked...no raw egg in fresh mayonnaise etc. If I were you I would happily eat the friends eggs but ensure they are properly cooked. Tell DP to chill and just make sure you know the properly banned food...pate, unpasteurised soft cheese, liver etc.

[lilymolly]

oh dear I buy all my eggs from farm next door- currently 14 weeks pregnant with dc no 2
I have never had any problems at all

I am sure you will be ok

I think it is uncooked eggs in mayo- homemade- etc that pose a risk

[mags98]

Ask her if her chickens are vaccinated against salmonella - mine are!

Eggs are fine to eat, but as above should probably be cooked all the way through. I'd worry more about battery eggs from a supermarket where I didn't know where they came from. But from a chicken I knew that is vaccinated and well looked after, well personally, I wouldn't worry about it being a problem!

[Dorchies]

Thank you everyone! Eggs for breakfast it is!