Health & Nutrition

Blood and Meat Spots in Eggs: What You Need to Know

By Shin • July 14, 2025

Sometimes when cracking open an egg, you may notice a tiny red or brown spot inside. This can surprise people, and many wonder: Is this normal? Is the egg safe to eat?

The answer: Yes — it’s natural, safe, and nothing to worry about.

What Are These Spots?

  • Blood spots (red specks)

These form when a small blood vessel in the hen’s ovary or oviduct breaks during egg formation.

  • Meat spots (brown or dark specks)

These are not “meat,” but tiny bits of harmless tissue that sometimes become enclosed inside the egg.

Both are natural and harmless. They don’t mean the egg is fertilized, spoiled, or unsafe.

A Freshness Connection

Here’s some good news:

  • Blood and meat spots are often more visible in fresh eggs, because the yolk and egg white are still firm and hold the spot in place.
  • As eggs age, water from the egg white moves into the yolk, diluting the spot until it fades or becomes less noticeable.

That means if you happen to see a little red or brown speck, it often shows your egg is very fresh and natural.

Are They Safe to Eat?

Absolutely. Eggs with blood or meat spots are:

  • Safe to eat when cooked, just like any other egg.
  • Nutritionally the same — the spot does not affect taste or quality.
  • Optional to remove — if it bothers you, simply lift it out with the tip of a spoon.

Why Do They Happen?

Research shows that spots are slightly more common in:

  • Brown-shelled eggs compared to white-shelled ones — about 2–4% vs. 1–2%.
  • Older hens, as their blood vessels become more fragile.
  • Certain breeds, which are naturally more prone.

They are also more common in farm-fresh eggs, since large commercial producers use strong lights (“candling”) to remove most spotted eggs before packaging.

The Bottom Line for Our Customers

Blood and meat spots in eggs may look unusual, but they are:

  • Natural — a normal part of egg production.
  • Safe — no impact on quality or nutrition.
  • Often a sign of freshness — the spot fades as eggs age.

At Eggfarmer, our priority is providing you with eggs that are fresh, nutritious, and safe for your family. So if you see a tiny red or brown speck, rest assured — your egg is just as wholesome as ever.

Referrences:
  • USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (2020). Shell Eggs from Farm to Table.
  • American Egg Board (2021). Eggcyclopedia: Blood Spots.
  • University of Florida Extension (IFAS) (2020). Blood Spots and Meat Spots in Eggs.
  • Eggland’s Best (2023). Blood Spots & Meat Spots FAQ.
  • Washington State University (2022). Eggs and Blood Spots.
  • Oklahoma State University Extension (2023). Egg Questions & Answers.
  • Simply Recipes (2023). Is It Safe to Eat Eggs with Blood Spots?
  • EatingWell (2022). Are Eggs with Blood Spots Safe to Eat?
  • Allrecipes (2025). Blood Spots in Eggs.
  • Healthline (2019). Blood in Eggs: Safe or Not?
  • MedicineNet (2023). Are Eggs with Blood Spots Safe to Eat?
  • Frontiers in Nutrition (2025). Eggshell Color and Microbial Composition Linked to Blood/Meat Spots.
  • PubMed (2024). Genetic and Age-Related Factors in Blood and Meat Spot Formation in Laying Hens.

About The Author

I’m Shin , the co-founder of egghey. I started this brand to share the incredible taste of truly fresh eggs from my family’s farm in Perak. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

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