ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCY
MATTHEW CONSTANTINE, R.E.H.S., Director DAVID PRICE III, RMA DIRECTOR
2700 “M” STREET, SUITE 300 Community and Economic Development Department
BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301-2370 Engineering & Survey Services Department
Voice: (661) 862-8700 Environmental Health Services Department
Fax: (661) 862-8701 Planning Department
TTY Relay: (800) 735-2929 Roads Department
e-mail: eh@co.kern.ca.us
What Are Your Easter Eggs Hiding? Egg Safety for Egg Hunts
Spring time is the season for eggs! For those who celebrate Easter, a cherished annual tradition often includes
boiling, decorating, and hunting eggs. However, here are some guidelines to keep in mind to minimize the chance
of getting a foodborne illness from Easter eggs during this season. Help make sure that the only things you're
hiding are Easter eggs, and not potential foodborne illness!
Before The Hunt…
• Every time an egg is handled, there is an increase in the chance for contamination by bacteria. Wash your
hands thoroughly before handling any eggs and at every step of the process, including cooking, cooling,
and dyeing.
• At the store, choose refrigerated, Grade A or AA eggs with clean, un-cracked shells.
• Take eggs straight home and store them immediately in the refrigerator at 45 degrees F.
• Color only un-cracked eggs.
• If you want to eat your dyed eggs later, use food coloring or specially made food-grade egg dyes.
• Put hard-cooked eggs in the refrigerator within two hours, if you won't be coloring them right after
cooking. Refrigerate them again right after dyeing or displaying them.
During The Hunt…
• If you hide eggs, consider hiding places carefully. Avoid places where the egg might come into contact
with dirt, pets, wild animals, birds, reptiles, or lawn chemicals.
• The total time for hiding and hunting eggs should not exceed two hours.
• If the Easter egg hunt will take longer than two hours, hide plastic eggs.
• You'll also want to make sure that you remember all the places you hid Easter eggs, rather than
discovering some a month later under the couch.
After The Hunt…
• The found eggs must be re-refrigerated.
• Hard-cooked eggs should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking and used within a week.
• If any eggs crack while dyeing or while on display, discard them along with any eggs that have been out
of refrigeration for more than two hours.
Happy, healthful hunting!