How can you tell if Raw Eggs has gone bad?

Signs that Raw Eggs has gone bad: Float test: bad eggs float in water (good ones sink); Crack and check: sulfurous smell, pink or iridescent whites. Still good if: Small blood spots in the yolk — harmless (a tiny vessel breakage during formation). Remove with the tip of a knife if you prefer.

What does the date label on Raw Eggs mean?

Raw Eggs usually carries a "Use By" date. The last date the manufacturer recommends for peak quality — for most foods this is still quality-based, not a safety cutoff (infant formula is the one exception). See our date-labels guide for the full breakdown.

Meat & Fish

How long does Raw Eggs last?

Q: How long does Raw Eggs last?

In the fridge: 3–5 weeks. In the pantry: 2 weeks (unwashed). In the freezer: 1 year (beaten). Sealed / unopened: Same. US eggs must be refrigerated (washing removes protective coating). European eggs may be pantry-safe.

High confidence Safety concern

How long does Raw Eggs last? fridge 3–5 weeks, pantry 2 weeks (unwashed), freezer 1 year (beaten). Plus spoilage signs, sources, and an unopened-vs-opened note.

Fridge

3–5 weeks

Pantry

2 weeks (unwashed)

Freezer

1 year (beaten)

Sealed / unopened: Same

Signs Raw Eggs has gone bad

Float test: bad eggs float in water (good ones sink).
Crack and check: sulfurous smell, pink or iridescent whites.

Still good if

Small blood spots in the yolk — harmless (a tiny vessel breakage during formation). Remove with the tip of a knife if you prefer.

Discard immediately if

Any sulfurous smell when cracked
Visible cracks in the shell with any seepage
Pink, green, or iridescent yolk or white

Why guidance varies

Whole cuts keep longer than ground meat because ground meat has more surface area exposed to bacteria; cut type, fat content, and packaging method (vacuum vs. butcher paper) shift duration significantly.

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Sources for this answer

A USDA FSIS — Refrigeration and Food Safety — Storage windows and refrigeration guidance for this category.
A USDA FoodKeeper — Date-label interpretation and food-safety baseline.

Reviewed: 2026-05 · Rule: if manufacturer storage instructions are stricter than category guidance, the manufacturer instructions win.