Is it safe to eat emulsified eggs?
In this brief guide, we will discuss the question “is it safe to eat emulsified eggs?”. As well, we will discuss what is an egg, what are emulsified eggs, what are emulsifiers in food, what form of eggs are used as emulsifiers, and other concerns about emulsified eggs.
Is it safe to eat emulsified eggs?
Yes, it is safe to eat emulsified eggs. The eggs have the capacity for emulsification, so you can find food products with emulsified eggs.
What are emulsified eggs?
As the egg is very versatile, you can make many food products with eggs. The egg has the capacity for emulsification and can serve to change the characteristics of processed foods, mainly regarding the texture.
What are emulsifiers in food?
Emulsifiers are considered an additive and are used in foods with the aim to stabilize foods that contain water and oil. You can find many different food products that contain emulsifiers and all of them are listed on the food labels.
What are additives?
According to the Federal and Drug Administration (FDA), additives are any substance used in foods to improve the flavor, texture, color, and nutrient values performing a diversity of advantageous functions. The additive emulsifier helps to improve the taste, appearance, and texture of foods.
How regulates the use of additives in the food industry?
The use of additives is meticulously regulated by the federal authorities of each country. One example is the FDA, which rules in the US. All additives have the maximum limited amount in foods, as they need to be safe for consumers.
How do eggs act as emulsifiers?
Eggs as emulsifiers act by stabilization and reducing the surface tension of the products, and also decrease the energy necessary to produce the emulsion. There are more details below, according to the American Egg Board.
- The substances phosphatidylcholine and lecithin are present in the egg yolk, which causes the decrease in the surface tensions of the products;
- The substances phosphatidylcholine or lecithin have the end hydrophilic and another end hydrophobic, which decrease the energy necessary to produce the emulsion.
What factor can affect the power of emulsifiers of eggs?
The temperature of the eggs or the mixture can affect the process, but the mixing speed as the timer of the production can also affect the effect of emulsifiers of eggs. The size and uniformity of the particles that will be mixed are important too.
What form of eggs are used as emulsifiers?
The eggs used as emulsifiers can be the whole egg, egg whites, egg yolks, derived eggs as powder, and spray-dried eggs. Can also be used frozen and refrigerated eggs, the change in the temperature of the eggs can increase or decrease their capacity as emulsifiers.
What are examples of foods that contain emulsified eggs?
The use of emulsified eggs is more common than you think. You can find emulsified eggs in salad dressing, mayonnaise, ice cream, and baked goods (bread, muffins, cheesecake, cinnamon rolls, biscuits, bagels, brownies, cake, pie, and others).
How are emulsified eggs used in ice cream?
According to the American Egg Board, the emulsified eggs are used during the freezing stage, which assists in giving a smoother consistency and avoids the ice cream not liquefying so fast when it is out of the refrigeration, as serving. The egg emulsifiers also assist in giving freeze stability.
How are emulsified eggs used in bakery products?
According to the American Egg Board, the emulsified eggs result in improvements during the manufacturing and also in the product. Below you can know more details about their use in bakery products.
- While the manufacturing of bakery products, the emulsified eggs assist by giving a great mixture of the ingredients and preserving the dough while this is in the mechanical process;
- Emulsified eggs also assist in increasing the volume of the products, resulting in a light and homogeneous form that increases the shelf life of the product.
Can I have a foodborne illness if I consume emulsified eggs?
As long as you consume food products that are inspected by federal or local authorities, you won’t be sick. However, if you eat food that contains eggs with no inspection control, you will have the chance of being sick. To know more about it, click here.
Other FAQs about Eggs that you may be interested in.
Can you eat Easter eggs dyed with shaving cream
Is it safe to eat green shell eggs?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have discussed the question “is it safe to eat emulsified eggs?”. As well, we have discussed what is an egg, what are emulsified eggs, what are emulsifiers in food, what form of eggs are used as emulsifiers, and other concerns about emulsified eggs.
References
https://www.fda.gov/food/food-ingredients-packaging/overview-food-ingredients-additives-colors Accessed: 05/02/2022
https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/eggs/eggcomposition.html. Accessed: 05/02/2022
https://www.incredibleegg.org/professionals/manufacturers/real-egg-functionality/emulsification Accessed: 05/02/2022
