Are raw egg yolks dangerous?

I want to use raw egg yolk in frosting. Is this safe? Would the finished product need to be stored in the refrigerator?

USDA and Extension Service recommend against the use of raw eggs in any product. Even eggs from healthy chickens with clean, uncracked shells may occasionally contain bacteria called Salmonella that can cause an intestinal infection.

Egg safety

Keep eggs refrigerated. Leaving a product with raw egg yolks or whites in it at room temperature would allow existing bacteria to further multiply and be an even greater risk.
Cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly to prevent illness from bacteria
Extra care should be taken when preparing eggs for at-risk populations such as young children, older adults and immunocompromised individuals

Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Home Food Safety and Storage

Was this page helpful?

Related Content from OSU Extension

Guidelines for Refrigeration of Foods - SP50-677

Publication provides information on what foods need to be refrigerated for safety and quality.

Mar 2018 | Publication

Does freezing leafy greens reduce vitamin K?

When leafy green vegetables are frozen, do they lose their vitamin K? My husband tries to eat kale because he takes blood thinners and wants a good natural source of this vitamin. He read somewhere that frozen greens lose vitamin K in the freezing process—is this true?

Anne Hoisington | Jan 2016 | Featured question

How often should I clean my refrigerator and freezer?

I just moved into a new apartment and I was wondering how often I should be cleaning out my refrigerator and my freezer. I would like to know recommendations for the actual sanitation of the fridge and how often I should throw away old food. Thank you!

Nellie Oehler | Mar 2023 | Featured question

Is my food still safe after power outages?

As of this morning, we have been without any power for more than five days and it is still out, with a prediction of 2-4 more days until we reconnect. I have been assuming that we would lose the contents of our ...

Jeanne Brandt | Feb 2021 | Featured question

Gather nuts frequently as they fall from the tree

Harvesting, drying and storing nuts correctly will give you months of enjoyment.

Kym Pokorny | Oct 11, 2019 | News story

Food Safety Tips for At Risk Populations - SP50-872

Food safety tips for at risk populations including pregnant women, infants, young children, older adults and other populations who are most susceptible to foodborne illness.

May 2018 | Publication

Bugs in my pantry—what do I do?

Two weeks ago, when fixing brown basmati rice for dinner, I noticed many small, black bugs. Some were dead, but many were still crawling actively. I purchased this rice two months ago, but I threw all of it away. Today ...

Jeanne Brandt | Apr 2016 | Featured question

Preserving Peas & Edible Pea Pods (SP 50-305)

Sugar snap peas, snow peas and shell peas do well in Oregon home gardens and are good candidates for preserving. Sugar snap and snow peas are best preserved by freezing while shell peas can be canned, frozen or dried.

Mar 2013 | Article

Guidelines for Refrigeration of Foods (SP50-677)

Understanding which foods need to be refrigerated and how long they'll keep is crucial to preventing foodborne illness and reducing food waste. Here's a look at what to keep in your refrigerator and for how long.

Sep 2022 | Article

Drying and Roasting Seeds (SP 50-534)

Home cooks can make their own roasted sunflower, pumpkin and squash seeds by following a few simple steps — wash, dry and roast. And they'll keep for a long time if they are frozen or refrigerated.

Mar 2013 | Article

Are roadside blackberries safe?

I live next to Highway 20, and it's where I see the biggest blackberries in town. However, I think the Department of Transportation may spray herbicides along roads to prevent overgrowth. How is this application done? If I eat these berries, will the herbicides damage my health?

Kaci Buhl | Aug 2019 | Featured question

Foods That Do Not Freeze Well - SP 50-766

This fact sheet provides a list of foods with usual use and condition after thawing.

Feb 2019 | Fact Sheet

Do I need to rinse my triple washed vegetables?

Should one rinse bought spinach and lettuce that is labeled triple washed?

Jeanne Brandt | Nov 2021 | Featured question

Frozen tomatoes in home-canned salsa?

My tomatoes are not all ripe at one time. Can I freeze them and then use the frozen tomatoes in a recipe calling for fresh tomatoes? The same goes with my hot peppers. If so, is there a specific way to freeze them?

Glenda Hyde | Sep 2021 | Featured question Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Turkey Basics - SP50-1000

Fact sheet of easy, basic cooking and food safety tips to help prepare a healthy and hearty turkey dinner.

Aug 2019 | Publication

Spoiled Tomatoes

Question: I recently grabbed a swollen can of tomatoes from the pantry, and when I punctured it with the can-opener, it sprayed juice two feet into the air. Is this a sign that the tomatoes are unsafe to eat? Have your...

Feb 2015 | Video

Canned Fruits and Tomatoes: Problems and Solutions - SP50-743

Publication describes common problems and solutions when canning fruit and tomatoes.

Mar 2013 | Publication

Can I use fresh lemon/lime juice in salsa?

We have already made 14 pints of red salsa, and we used fresh lemon juice (1/2 cup per 7 pints). I was reading a recipe online that said you cannot use fresh lemon or lime juice for canning. If there's a risk, can I open my salsa, then recook it and freeze it?

Nellie Oehler | Oct 2017 | Featured question

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

Ask us a question