How to dye Easter eggs safely and keep them edible

Insights

• Hard-boil eggs until yolks are fairly solid, about 12 minutes, to kill bacteria.
• Cool eggs by air or running under cold water and avoid soaking them while decorating.
• Keep hard-boiled eggs refrigerated and use them within one week after cooking.
• Store cooked eggs at or below 4.4 degrees Celsius and do not leave them at room temperature more than two hours, or one hour in hot conditions.
• Discard any eggs with cracked shells that may have been exposed outdoors or on the ground.
• Food grade dyes are safe even if they seep through the shell, and keeping eggs cold while decorating helps safety.
• Use plastic eggs for hunts that will leave eggs at room temperature longer than two hours