A hard-boiled look at Easter egg safety

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For many people, Easter is a time to decorate eggs for the egg hunt. If your children plan to eat the eggs later, there are a few food safety tips to remember, says Robbie McKinnon, an extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

"Every time an egg is handled, there's an increase in the chance for contamination by bacteria," she says. "Wash your hands thoroughly before handling any eggs and at every step of the process, including cooking, cooling, and dyeing. Wash all utensils, equipment and work areas that come in contact with raw eggs in hot, soapy water."

Hard-cooked eggs for an egg hunt must be prepared with care to prevent cracking the shells, according to McKinnon. If the shells crack, bacteria can contaminate the inside. Eggs should be hidden in places that are protected from dirt, pets and other sources of bacteria or lawn chemicals.

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