Pasteurized eggs are heat-treated to destroy salmonella and other harmful bacteria without cooking the product itself. They look, taste, and perform exactly like untreated options, but they’re safe to use raw in recipes like Caesar salad dressing, homemade mayonnaise, tiramisu, and eggnog. If you’ve been searching grocery store shelves without luck, you’re not alone. Availability varies widely by region, and most retailers don’t stock them in an obvious spot.
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What Pasteurized Eggs Are and Who Needs Them
Pasteurization is a controlled heating process that achieves a 5-log reduction in bacteria, meaning 99.999% of salmonella and other pathogens are eliminated. The USDA, the federal agency responsible for egg safety standards, oversees commercial heat treatment in the United States. The Food Safety and Inspection Service sets the specific time and temperature guidelines processors must follow.
Three groups rely on these products most. Pregnant women use them because salmonellosis poses serious risks during pregnancy, including dehydration and preterm labor. Older adults and people with a compromised immune system face higher hospitalization rates from foodborne illness. And home cooks who regularly make recipes with raw egg (hollandaise, bearnaise sauce, meringue, mousse) buy them to eliminate risk without changing their technique.
Professional bakers also reach for pasteurized egg whites because they whip to stiff peaks just like untreated versions. The consistency stays intact after treatment, so there’s no functional downside in the kitchen.
5 Features That Separate Quality Pasteurized Eggs From Poor Ones
The best options share a few traits that set them apart from products that look similar on the shelf but don’t deliver the same safety or performance. Here’s what to check before you buy.
Verified “pasteurized” labeling. A trustworthy product states “pasteurized” clearly on the packaging. Some brands stamp a red “P” directly on each shell. If the label only says “farm fresh” or “all natural,” those haven’t been through heat treatment. Read every word before buying.
Intact shells with no cracks. A cracked shell compromises food safety regardless of prior treatment. Check every one in the container before you leave the store. Moisture on the surface or discoloration also signals mishandling.
Consistent refrigeration at point of sale. These products must stay cold from the processing plant to your kitchen. If the refrigerated case feels warm or the product sits outside proper cooling, walk away. Temperature abuse undoes the pasteurization process entirely.
Clear sell-by dates. Plan to use shell eggs within three weeks of purchase. Liquid products in sealed containers typically last longer when unopened, but always check the date stamped on the packaging.
Normal appearance when cracked. The yolk should sit firm and round. The white should hold its shape, not spread thin across the pan. Watery texture or a yolk that breaks on contact suggests improper storage or that it’s past its prime.
Buying Mistakes to Avoid With Pasteurized Eggs
The single most common mistake is confusing “pasture-raised” with “pasteurized,” and it happens constantly. These are completely different things.
Mixing up pasture-raised and pasteurized. Pasture-raised describes how the chicken was housed (outdoors, on open land). The other describes a heat treatment applied after laying. You can have pasture-raised products that aren’t treated, and treated ones that aren’t pasture-raised. Always read the label carefully.
Assuming all store-bought eggs are treated. They aren’t. The vast majority sold at grocery stores in the United States are unpasteurized. Even organic or cage-free varieties carry a risk of salmonella unless you cook them thoroughly. Only products specifically labeled as heat-treated went through the process.
Overbuying beyond what you’ll use. Treated options don’t last significantly longer than regular ones. A single dozen is plenty unless you’re cooking for a large event or catering job. Overbuying just leads to waste.
Skipping the thermometer when pasteurizing at home. If you choose to treat them at home using a water bath circulator, monitoring the temperature is critical. The yolk must reach a specific level for a precise duration to kill bacteria. Without a thermometer, you’re guessing, and guessing with raw product isn’t safe.
Where to Buy Pasteurized Eggs In Store
Walmart
Walmart, the largest brick-and-mortar retailer in the U.S., carries Davidson’s Safest Choice at select locations alongside their premium brands. Availability is regional, so check Walmart.com for stock at your nearest store before making the trip. Look in the refrigerated dairy section near cage-free and organic options.
Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods stocks Vital Farms liquid whole products and occasionally carries treated shell options depending on your region. Their dairy aisle tends to be well-organized, but if you don’t spot what you need, ask a team member. They can check backstock or tell you when the next shipment arrives.
Kroger
Kroger and its regional banners (Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Harris Teeter) sometimes stock these products. Check the natural foods section or the specialty dairy area. Kroger’s online ordering system shows whether your nearest location has them, which saves a wasted trip.
Publix
Publix carries treated options in many of its southeastern U.S. locations. You’ll typically find them in the dairy aisle near other specialty items. Associates can check backstock if the shelf is empty.
Target
Target has expanded its grocery department significantly and now stocks these products at larger format stores. Look near the organic and free-range display. Not every Target location has a full grocery section, so verify online first.
Where to Buy Pasteurized Eggs Online
Online ordering is often the fastest way to find these products if your local grocery store doesn’t carry them. Here are the best options for home delivery.
Amazon
Amazon #ad sells treated liquid products, powdered options, and pasteurized egg whites. Fresh shell versions aren’t available through standard Amazon shipping due to refrigeration logistics, but liquid and powdered alternatives work perfectly for baking, sauces, smoothies, and any recipe calling for raw ingredients.
Davidson’s Safest Choice (Store Locator)
Davidson’s Safest Choice doesn’t sell directly online for home delivery, but their website includes a store locator tool. Enter your zip code and it shows which retailers near you carry their products. This is often the fastest route to finding treated shell products locally.
Instacart
Instacart partners with local retailers to deliver these products to your door. Search for the product, filter by stores in your area, and have them delivered the same day. This is the most convenient option when your closest store doesn’t stock them on the shelf.
Walmart Grocery Delivery
Walmart’s delivery service can bring treated products from your local store straight to your home. If the product shows in stock at your nearest Walmart, add it to a delivery or pickup order through the app or website.
Top Picks for Different Buyers
These recommendations are based on product availability, buyer reviews, and how well each option performs in recipes that call for raw or undercooked preparation.
Best overall: Davidson’s Safest Choice pasteurized shell eggs. The gold standard for treated shell products in the U.S. They crack, cook, and taste exactly like regular ones, with the safety benefit of full heat treatment. Available at Walmart, Publix, Kroger, and other major retailers. Check price on Amazon
Best for baking: Pasteurized liquid egg whites. Treated whites in a container eliminate the need for separating yolks from the whites and measuring. They’re consistent, safe for no-cook recipes like meringue, and widely available at grocery stores. Check price on Amazon
Best budget option: Store-brand liquid whole eggs. Kroger, Walmart, and other chains sell their own treated liquid products at lower price points. These work well for scrambles, baking, and any recipe where you don’t need the product in its shell.
Best for DIY: An immersion circulator for home pasteurization. If you want to pasteurize your own eggs at home, an immersion circulator gives you precise temperature control. Set the water to 135 degrees Fahrenheit, submerge your large eggs, and wait 75 minutes. It’s the safest home method by a wide margin. Check price on Amazon
How to Heat-Treat at Home Using an Immersion Circulator
Home pasteurization is straightforward with the right equipment, but precision matters. You can’t eyeball this process.
- Fill a pot or container with water and attach your immersion circulator. Set the water temperature to 135 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius).
- Once the water reaches the target temperature, gently lower them into the bath using a slotted spoon. Use large eggs at room temperature for the most consistent results.
- Hold at temperature for exactly 75 minutes. Don’t shorten this. The time and temperature combination is what achieves a safe pathogen reduction without cooking the product.
- Remove and place them in an ice bath for 5 minutes to stop any residual heating. Then transfer to the refrigerator.
- Mark the treated ones with a pencil so you don’t mix them up with untreated stock. Use within the normal shelf life.
A stovetop method exists but is far less precise. Without a thermometer and circulator to monitor the temperature of the water constantly, you risk either undercooking (leaving bacteria alive) or overcooking (producing a partially set product that won’t work in raw preparations). For anyone serious about food safety, the water bath approach is the only reliable home option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all store-bought eggs pasteurized?
No. Most sold at grocery stores have not been heat-treated. Only products with a “pasteurized” label on the packaging went through the process. Regular options, including organic and cage-free varieties, can carry salmonella bacteria and should be cooked thoroughly before eating.
Which egg brands are pasteurized?
Davidson’s Safest Choice is the most widely available brand of pasteurized shell eggs in the United States. Vital Farms sells treated liquid whole products. Several store brands (Kroger, Walmart Great Value) offer their own treated liquid options as well. Look for the word “pasteurized” on the packaging, not just “organic” or “cage-free.”
Do pasteurized eggs taste different from regular eggs?
They taste the same in virtually every cooking application. The gentle heat used in treatment doesn’t alter flavor. Some bakers notice that treated whites take slightly longer to whip into stiff peaks, but the final result is identical.
Can pasteurized eggs still carry salmonella?
Commercially treated products are considered safe from salmonella contamination. The process eliminates the pathogen through controlled heat. Home-treated versions carry slightly more risk if you didn’t monitor time and temperature correctly, which is why using an immersion circulator with a thermometer is strongly recommended.
Are pasteurized eggs safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Health agencies recommend that pregnant women use treated products for any recipe involving raw or undercooked preparation. This includes Caesar salad dressing, eggnog, mousse, and hollandaise sauce. The treatment reduces the risk of salmonellosis, which can cause serious complications during pregnancy.
Do pasteurized eggs need to be refrigerated?
Yes. They must be refrigerated at all times, just like untreated ones. The process doesn’t make them shelf-stable. Store at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below and use before the expiration date.
Does pasteurizing eggs kill nutrients?
Research shows minimal nutrient loss from the treatment process. The low temperature used preserves protein, vitamins, and minerals. You aren’t sacrificing nutritional value by choosing treated over untreated options.
Reviewed by the wheretobuyguides.com editorial team. Content verified with guidance from USDA egg safety publications. Last updated: April 2026.
Start by checking your nearest Walmart or Whole Foods for Davidson’s Safest Choice pasteurized eggs on the shelf. If they’re not in stock locally, order liquid or powdered versions from Amazon for same-week delivery. For more specialty food guides, explore our articles on hollandaise sauce, edible cookie dough, and cheesecloth for straining and baking.