When You Eat Expired Eggs, This Is What Happens To Your Body

Eggs, regardless of their freshness, can be contaminated with Salmonella, warns the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Salmonella is a group of bacteria responsible for food poisoning. When ingested, it may cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, and other symptoms. Most people experience these side effects 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. In some cases, the symptoms may develop weeks following exposure to the bacteria, warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Depending on the severity of the infection, you may feel sick for about four to seven days. The FDA recommends seeing a doctor if you have severe diarrhea, which may indicate that the infection has spread throughout your body. Some individuals may experience changes in their bowel habits for months after recovery. Also, it's possible to develop reactive arthritis, a disease characterized by joint pain and inflammation, due to a Salmonella infection (via the CDC).

Expired eggs are more likely to contain Salmonella and E. coli, notes Eat by Date. That's why it's important to know how to safely handle, store, and cook fresh eggs. The FDA recommends buying them only if sold from a refrigerator. Store them in their carton and serve them immediately after cooking. Note that hard-boiled eggs only last up to a week if refrigerated. Leftover cooked eggs, on the other hand, should be consumed within three to four days.