Where to find pasteurized eggs?

[newyorkmommy]

Hi everyone. I realize pasteurized eggs are not a traditional food -- and our family actually eats pastured eggs for the most part -- but I'm looking for pasteurized eggs because I'm pregnant and totally addicted to mayonnaise and just want to be able to make my own without having to worry about salmonella, as small a risk as it may be. Also, I can avoid the soybean oil overload this way and just use olive oil.

We're in New York City, and even the food coops and better grocery stores seem not to have them.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

[BubblingBrooks]

honestly, pasteurized eggs seem to be a scam. They are soaked in warm water for a short time.
I would not be afraid of good pastured eggs, even when pregnant.

[ursusarctos]

Pasteurizing itself is actually a relatively gentle process (this is coming from someone who drinks raw milk btw). It only heats milk to about 70 degrees celcius (well below boiling) for a few seconds if I remember right. That is enough to kill most pathogens (and most of the beneficial bacteria as well). I would assume that pasteurized eggs are similarly gently treated. They would have to be, otherwise the egg would be cooked.

You could always break the eggs open, mix up your mixture, and heat it gently yourself (not to the point of cooking it of course). Or, as BubblingBrooks suggests, just eat raw ones. I would, and have, in pregnancy, if I can trust my source. If the chickens are healthy and kept in sanitary conditions their eggs should be clean.

[newyorkmommy]

Thanks to you both for your responses. We do buy our eggs from a reputable and (I think) scrupulously-sourced food coop, but I think for me to eat them raw I would have to know the farmer personally. Until that day arrives, I may look into pasteurizing them myself! Thanks again.

[Bantams]

Just so you know, salmonella is found on both the shell and in the yolk.  The white has antibacterial properties, so it's rare to have a contaminated egg white. 

Simmering the whole eggs for several seconds will only treat the outside, not the yolk.

If you "know" the chickens your eggs come from, you can be assured they're safe, since only a sick chicken can lay a contaminated egg.  But it takes a close eye to keep up on all the hens in a flock. 

[JElaineB]

Here's info on pastuerizing eggs at home: http://www.ehow.com/how_4679090_pasteurize-eggs-home.html 

I buy pastured eggs sold from a known farmer, so I don't worry if I use some eggs raw or not well-cooked myself.

[Aegis]

I've made mayo in my VitaMix by blending it until it was steaming.  I'm not sure how high the temperature was, but it was definitely hot when I was done.  It tasted fine (taste and texture).