What are pooled eggs?

Pooled eggs refer to eggs that have been cracked open and mixed together from multiple eggs into a single container. This practice is common in restaurants, where chefs may crack a number of eggs into one bowl for ease of use in recipes like omelets, scrambled eggs, or baked dishes. The main concern with pooled eggs is that they can pose a higher risk of foodborne illness if not handled properly. By combining eggs from different shells, any bacteria present in one egg can contaminate the entire mixture. This makes it especially important to store and use pooled eggs safely to mitigate risks associated with pathogens such as Salmonella.

The other options do not correctly define pooled eggs. Cooking eggs together at low temperatures pertains to a cooking method rather than the pooling concept. Storing eggs in an open carton and pre-cooked eggs stored at room temperature do not relate specifically to the practice of pooling eggs.