Fertilized Eggs

Q. Are fertilized eggs kosher?

A. A fertilized egg is kosher provided it does not have a blood spot. In fact, the Gemara (Beitza 7a) writes that fertilized eggs are superior in quality to regular eggs. If a fertilized egg were to have a blood spot, depending on the exact location, this might indicate that the egg is beginning to develop into a chick, and at that point the entire egg is forbidden. Because there are different opinions as to which locations are problematic, if there is a blood spot in any location, we are strict and forbid the entire egg (Rema YD 66:3). Commercially sold eggs (like the ones found in the supermarket) are unlikely to be fertilized. Therefore, if one finds a blood spot in a commercial egg, according to the letter of the law, it is enough to remove the spot, and one may then eat the rest of the egg. Still, Igeros Moshe (1:36) writes that since there is a slight chance that the egg was fertilized, and an egg is an inexpensive item, it is best to discard the entire egg. If one buys eggs from a local farmer, where there is a real possibility that the eggs are fertilized, the halacha would mandate disposing of the entire egg.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.