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What is the role of pasteurized shell eggs in food preparation?

  1. To enhance flavor

  2. To ensure safety when using eggs in uncooked dishes

  3. To extend shelf life

  4. To improve texture

The correct answer is: To ensure safety when using eggs in uncooked dishes

The role of pasteurized shell eggs in food preparation is primarily to ensure safety when using eggs in uncooked dishes. Pasteurization is a process that involves heating eggs to a specific temperature for a set time, which kills harmful bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present both on the shell and inside the egg. This makes pasteurized eggs a safer choice for recipes that call for raw or lightly cooked eggs, such as Caesar salad dressing, homemade mayonnaise, or certain desserts like mousse. While enhancing flavor, extending shelf life, and improving texture can be benefits associated with certain food products, the primary concern with raw eggs is the risk of foodborne illness. Therefore, the main reason for using pasteurized shell eggs is to mitigate that risk effectively, ensuring that consumers can enjoy dishes involving uncooked eggs more safely.