Viral Frozen Egg Trend on TikTok Risks Salmonella, FDA Warns — How to Freeze Eggs Safely
A viral egg trend on TikTok has drawn warnings from two federal food safety agencies, and their message is clear: this popular hack should not be attempted at home.
The trend shows users placing whole eggs in their freezers and letting them freeze solid in their shells. Once frozen, they remove the eggs, slice them in half and fry the small rounds into what creators on the platform call “mini eggs.” The videos have gained millions of views on TikTok, and the method has resurfaced on the platform after gaining popularity in earlier waves of the trend.
But the FDA and USDA are now warning that the hack can be dangerous. Both agencies say that freezing eggs in their shells creates food safety risks, including potential exposure to salmonella. Officials say the trend should not be attempted at home and is especially unsafe for kids.
How Freezing Damages Eggs and Creates Health Risks
The FDA and USDA caution against freezing eggs in their shells for a specific reason: liquids expand when frozen. According to their guidance, that expansion can cause eggshells to crack.
The cracks are not always easy to spot. Even when they are not visible, they can compromise the egg’s protective barrier and allow bacteria to enter. A shell that appears intact after a trip to the freezer may have fractures that leave the egg’s contents exposed to contamination.
The agencies also note that freezing does not kill bacteria already present. If bacteria exist on or inside an egg before it goes into the freezer, those bacteria survive the entire freezing process and remain when the egg is thawed. That means an egg that appeared safe when placed in the freezer may still pose a risk when prepared and eaten.
As a result, contaminated eggs frozen in their shells may lead to foodborne illness, including salmonella.
What Salmonella Does and Who Faces the Highest Risk
“Salmonella are a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis,” per the FDA.
Not everyone exposed to the bacteria reacts the same way. While some individuals may not develop symptoms, others can become seriously ill.
Certain groups face a higher risk of serious illness from salmonella. Children, older adults, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems are all more vulnerable to complications. Because these populations face greater danger, officials warn that the TikTok “mini fried egg” trend is especially unsafe for kids.
What the Viral TikTok Videos Show
Some of the viral TikTok videos promoting the frozen egg hack show eggs coming out of freezers visibly cracked before being sliced and cooked. The cracked shells in those clips demonstrate what happens when liquid inside an egg expands during freezing — exactly what the FDA and USDA have warned about.
Commenters on the platform have raised food safety concerns as well. Some users have referenced past versions of the trend and warned about earlier reports of food poisoning linked to similar behavior.
The trend is not new. It has circulated in earlier waves on TikTok, and the federal agencies’ warnings come as the hack gains renewed popularity on the platform.
The Right Way to Freeze Eggs at Home
Eggs can be frozen safely, but not in their shells. The difference is the shell itself — removing it before freezing eliminates the risk of expansion-related cracking and the bacterial exposure that can follow.
The FDA recommends cracking eggs first and then placing them in a freezer-safe container. There are two options: freeze the eggs as scrambled whole eggs or freeze separated whites.
Once frozen, eggs should be used within one year. When it comes time to prepare them, frozen eggs should be thawed overnight in the refrigerator and cooked immediately afterward. Thawing at room temperature is not recommended by the agencies.
How to Cook Eggs to Reduce Salmonella Risk
The USDA also offers cooking guidance aimed at reducing the risk of salmonella. The agency states that eggs should be cooked until both yolks and whites are firm.
For the most vulnerable groups — young children, pregnant people, elderly individuals and immunocompromised people — the USDA’s guidance goes further. These groups are advised to avoid runny or undercooked eggs altogether.
The combined guidance from the FDA and USDA is consistent: freezing whole eggs in their shells is not safe, and the “mini fried egg” trend on TikTok carries real health risks. Anyone who wants to freeze eggs for later use should crack them out of their shells first, store them in a freezer-safe container and cook them thoroughly.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
