Dine & Cook | Alternative food journalism

As the nation's egg recall continues, the American Egg Board is urging consumers to exercise caution when using their products.

According to a statement released Tuesday by the American Egg Board, egg farmers are continuing to work closely with government officials to help ensure the safety and quality of the egg supply.

While potentially affected eggs have been identified and removed from store shelves, the American Egg Board is urging people to thoroughly cook their eggs as salmonella is destroyed by the heat of cooking.

Eggs should be cooked until the whites and yolks are firm or, for dishes containing eggs, until an internal temperature of 160 degrees is reached.

Thoroughly cooked eggs are thoroughly safe eggs, according to the Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration.

In addition to thorough cooking, the American Egg Board is encouraging home cooks to incorporate other safe food-handling practices in the kitchen:

• Thoroughly clean your hands, as well as the surfaces and utensils that come into contact with raw eggs - an important step for avoiding cross-contamination.
• Separate eggs from other foods in your grocery cart, grocery bags and in the refrigerator to prevent cross-contamination.
• Keep eggs in the main section of the refrigerator at a temperature between 33 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and eggs accidentally left at room temperature should be discarded after two hours, or one hour in warm weather.

Website: www.eggsafety.org