Who moved the eggs?

Store employee seems to ignore expirations

Dear Readers: Here is this week’s Sound Off, about stores mixing and matching egg cartons:

“The date on egg cartons must not mean very much. In a grocery store, I saw an employee adjusting the eggs according to the breakage. He would remove the broken or cracked eggs from one carton and fill it from another carton that had empty spaces. Of course, they all may have been the same date, but you can’t be sure of that.—B.J. in Tennessee”

The date does mean something. According to the United States Department of Agriculture: “For best quality, use eggs within three to five weeks of the date you purchase them. The ‘sell-by’ date usually will expire during that length of time, but the eggs are perfectly safe to use.” So it seems to me that even with a “mix and match” carton of eggs, you are safe eating them.—Heloise SEND A GREAT HINT TO: Heloise P.O. Box 795000 San Antonio, TX 78279-5000 Fax: 1-210-HELOISE Email: Heloise@Heloise.com

FAST FACTS

Dear Readers: Other uses for tennis-ball containers:

Store knitting needles and yarn.

Workshop storage for nails, screws, etc.

Transport lemons or oranges in one.

Keep folded paper and pens in one for children.

Carry napkins and silverware to a picnic.

—Heloise NOT-SO-INSTANT REMOVAL

Dear Heloise: Can you please tell me how to remove instant glue from my countertops?— E., Klondike, Texas

A big factor is the type of countertops. If they are marble, granite or a specialty type, you should contact the manufacturer for its recommendation. Do not use nail-polish remover on these surfaces.

If you have laminate countertops, here is a hint to try: Place a hot, wet cloth (like a washcloth) on the glue spots. Leave the cloth on a spot until it cools, then replace it with another hot, wet cloth. Repeat this process until the glue has softened and you can peel it off.

If this method doesn’t work, they do make special products for instant-glue removal. Just be careful when using, as they can dull the finish. Test an out-ofthespot before using.— Heloise