The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds citizens that incorrectly handling eggs or live poultry, such as chicks and ducklings, can cause very serious illnesses, and any plans to decorate eggs or purchase chicks for the Easter or Passover holidays should be undertaken with care and forethought.

“MDA’s Food Quality Assurance Section enforces the Maryland Egg Law, which has some of the most stringent quality control standards in the nation, and our Animal Health Section is responsible for controlling animal diseases transmissible to humans,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “The Easter and Passover holidays can challenge both of these efforts because the risk of people contracting illnesses through inappropriate handling of eggs or live poultry is significantly higher than most any other time of year.”

Tips for Safe Egg Decorating:

Because eggs are handled more than usual when they are being hard boiled, dyed and hunted for fun, the risk of eggs being contaminated with bacterium is also higher. A few simple precautions, however, can help prevent food borne illness and ensure a happy holiday.

  • Start by buying clean eggs with uncracked shells before the “Sell-By” or expiration date on the carton.  Choose Grade A or AA eggs that are refrigerated. Look at the eggs to make sure they are clean and unbroken. There is no need to wash the eggs at home – commercial producers carefully wash and sanitize the eggs prior to putting in the carton.

  • Discard cracked eggs. Bacteria can enter through cracks and contaminate the egg inside.

  • If you plan to eat the eggs you decorate, be sure to use only food grade dye. 

  • Although it is best not to eat eggs used in an outdoor egg hunt, if you do, the total time for hiding and hunting eggs should be no more than two hours. Eggs found hours later or the next day should NOT be eaten!

  • If you are not going to eat the decorated eggs, they should still be hard boiled. Raw eggs can crack more easily and pose a threat, especially to children who tend to put their fingers in their mouths. 

  • Keep hard-cooked eggs chilled in the refrigerator until just before the hunt.  Hard cooked eggs should be consumed within 5 days of hard boiling.

  • Don’t hide eggs where they may come into contact w