Double yolks: What do they mean and are they safe?

Usually an egg includes one yolk and the egg white, but sometimes the egg will include a double yolk. If you crack open an egg and see a double yolk, is it safe to eat?

Usually an egg includes one yolk and the egg white, but sometimes the egg will include a double yolk. If you crack open an egg and see a double yolk, is it safe to eat?

The answer is that it’s not only perfectly safe to eat, but is said to bring good luck when you find them. But what causes the double yolk?

A double yolk occurs in an egg when a chicken releases two yolks into the same shell. Double yolks are usually produced by young chickens. Since their reproductive systems have not fully matured, they periodically release two yolks instead of one. Double yolks can also come from older chickens nearing the end of their egg producing period.

A double yolk is just one unusual occurrence in the internal appearance of an egg. The appearance of eggs may be related to food safety but often is not, and the Frequently Asked Questions has answers on a number of internal irregularities in eggs and what they mean.

Also, blood or meat spots are occasionally found on an egg yolk and are perfectly safe to eat. Most eggs with blood or meat spots are detected by electronic spotters and never reach the market, but even with electronic scanners it’s impossible to catch them all.

For more information on egg safety, you can visit theEgg Safety Center, Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or email questions to info@eggsafety.org.