Eggs can be a source of which bacteria?

• A. Listeria monocytogenes
• B. Staphylococcus aureus
• C. Salmonella enteritidis
• D. Escherichia coli O157:H7

Answer: (C)

Eggs are a well-known vehicle for Salmonella enteritidis because the bacterium can infect the ovaries of laying hens and contaminate the inside of the egg before the shell forms. This means the contamination can be present in the yolk or white even when the shell looks normal, making eggs a classic source of illness if the eggs are undercooked or mishandled. Proper cooking until both yolk and white are firm and careful refrigeration help prevent illness.

Listeria monocytogenes is more commonly linked to dairy products and ready-to-eat meats; Staphylococcus aureus troubles usually arise from toxin formation in foods handled by people; Escherichia coli O157:H7 is typically associated with undercooked ground beef and contaminated produce. While any food can carry pathogens, Salmonella enteritidis has the strongest, most classic association with eggs.