Are Kirkland Eggs Pasteurized? (Real FACTS)

We see a lot of words on the labels of foods we buy in grocery stores. For instance, pasteurized is one you might look for on dairy and egg products.

The pasteurization process makes some foods safer for us to ingest. So, it’s good to know what foods are and aren’t pasteurized. 

So, are Kirkland eggs pasteurized? Costco’s Kirkland eggs are not pasteurized in-shell. However, Kirkland egg products, such as egg whites, are pasteurized. The Kirkland eggs are certified humane, and they’re moving toward selling only cage-free eggs in all of their stores. The shell eggs are not pasteurized before they’re put on the shelf, though.

In this article, we’re looking at the difference between pasteurized eggs and those that aren’t. We’ll tell you when it’s important to use pasteurized eggs.

We’ll also look closely at Kirkland’s eggs and egg products to discuss the details of these.

Keep reading to find out more about Kirkland’s pasteurization policies and what products they apply to.

What Are Pasteurized Eggs?

Pasteurized eggs are those that have gone through a heating process to kill bacteria and viruses. Pasteurizing in-shell eggs requires they be brought to a precise temperature that doesn’t cook them. 

Raw in-shell eggs that are pasteurized are safe to use in recipes that don’t require cooking. Many salad dressings, meringues, and ice creams call for raw eggs.

Pasteurized eggs are safe for making these kinds of foods.

Are Kirkland Eggs Pasteurized?

No, Kirkland eggs are not pasteurized. This means they’re laid by a hen and then refrigerated without being heated at all. Unpasteurized eggs are safe to use in anything that requires cooking them.

Any risk due to the presence of bacteria or viruses is eliminated when eggs are cooked properly.

Are Kirkland Egg Products Pasteurized?

Kirkland egg products include egg whites, egg yokes, and anything egg-based that’s liquid, frozen, or dried. All Kirkland egg products are pasteurized. 

How Can I Tell if Eggs Are Pasteurized?

Eggs and egg products that are pasteurized have it indicated on their packaging. Look for the word pasteurized printed somewhere on the label. 

Pasteurized eggs look almost identical to unpasteurized eggs. The shell looks the same. When you crack one open, you will see the egg white is slightly opaque. It looks a little thicker than egg white from an unpasteurized egg. 

All egg products sold in the U.S. are required to be pasteurized. The USDA mandates that all egg products be made from eggs that are heated quickly and held at the minimum temperature for a required length of time. 

Should I Use Pasteurized Eggs Instead of Kirkland Eggs?

Cooking eggs destroys any bacteria or harmful viruses. If you’re making scrambled eggs, omelets, quiche, or baking a cake, all eggs are safe. You’re raising the temperature when you cook these items, which kills anything harmful that’s present.

If you’re making your own mayonnaise or salad dressing that calls for raw eggs, you should opt for pasteurized eggs.

They’re safe to eat raw. They can also be used in all other kinds of recipes, too. 

What Are the Downsides to Using Pasteurized Eggs?

Pasteurized eggs are safe and healthy for all people to eat, except those allergic to eggs. They are more expensive than other eggs, though. It’s more cost-effective to buy unpasteurized eggs for recipes that call for cooking them. 

On average, a dozen pasteurized eggs cost about $2.00 more than a dozen unpasteurized. If you opt for liquid pasteurized eggs, you can get a carton of 7 or 8 eggs for about $1.00 more than a dozen in-shell unpasteurized eggs.

The other major downside to using pasteurized eggs all the time is they’re harder to find. Most in-shell eggs are not pasteurized.

You can find them that way, but not everywhere. Companies that offer pasteurized in-shell eggs must get approval from the FDA to do so. 

Will Kirkland Eggs Be Pasteurized?

It’s unclear if Kirkland plans to offer pasteurized in-shell eggs in the future. Right now their focus is on transitioning all of its stores over to offering only cage-free eggs.

They’re working on putting eggs on shelves that are sourced humanely. 

While the retailer does offer cage-free eggs in more than 90% of its U.S. locations, it’s working toward selling only these humanely sourced eggs.

Right now they’re offered alongside eggs that are alternatively sourced.

Conclusion

In-shell Kirkland eggs are not pasteurized. All Kirkland egg products are pasteurized, as is required by the USDA. Kirkland eggs are safe to eat as long as they’re cooked properly.

Only recipes that call for raw eggs within the end product need to be made with pasteurized eggs. 

Kirkland eggs are offered in cage-free and pasture-raised options. The company is moving toward only selling animal products that are sourced humanely.

You can choose liquid eggs from Kirkland, which are pasteurized and safe for use in recipes calling for raw eggs only.