If you’ve ever grocery shopped outside of the United States and Canada, you may have noticed that the eggs are not in the refrigerated section. In fact, they may be in baskets at the farmers market, lingering for hours on roadside egg stands, or on the supermarket shelves along with more shelf-stable produce. Other countries aren’t doing it wrong, and neither is America, but the decision to refrigerate eggs or not is based on local regulations, and once eggs have been chilled, they have to stay that way. Here’s why Americans refrigerate their eggs.
Do Eggs Need to Be Refrigerated?
“Eggs universally do not need to be refrigerated,” says Kelly Slentz, Senior Associate Marketing Manager at Organic Valley. “In the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Scandinavia, eggs are refrigerated due to regulations requiring them to be washed, processed, and refrigerated to reduce salmonella risk.”
Whether eggs are refrigerated or not, that is, left out at room temperature, depends on country-specific regulations, cost considerations, and shelf life preferences. Eggs that have been refrigerated need to stay refrigerated, as they can sweat while coming to room temperature (you’ve probably seen the condensation on a once-cold shell being prepared for a recipe) and that moisture can start breeding bacteria within a few hours.
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Why Do Other Countries Not Refrigerate Eggs?
In most European and Asian countries, eggs are not washed or refrigerated, explains Slentz. This means that they retain a natural protective layer called the cuticle, which prevents bacterial growth. Since this layer remains intact, eggs in other countries don’t need to go in the fridge.
Do Fresh Eggs Need to Be Refrigerated?
“The need to refrigerate fresh eggs depends on where you live and how the eggs have been processed,” says Slentz. In the United States, fresh eggs sold in stores are required to be washed and refrigerated, and then need to stay refrigerated.
If you raise hens in your backyard, freshly laid eggs can be kept at room temperature, but if you wash them, you should refrigerate them. Eggs that are quickly refrigerated will also last longer. If you’re picking up and cooking eggs within a day or two of the egg laying, they’re safe at room temperature and should just be washed thoroughly before consuming.
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Should You Wash Eggs?
If you have purchased eggs from the supermarket, there’s no need to wash them. In fact, the USDA notes that washing store-bought eggs may actually increase the risk of contamination because the water can be drawn into the egg through pores in the shell.
However, if you raise hens and have freshly laid eggs at your disposal, you should thoroughly wash the eggs before cooking with them.
How Long Do Eggs Last in the Refrigerator?
Eggs should last three to six weeks when refrigerated. If you’re unsure if your eggs are good, check your egg carton, which will have a best-by date, regulated by state level. If you want to check if your eggs are good before cooking with them, submerge the egg in a glass of water. If the egg sinks, it’s fresh. If it floats, toss it. You should also discard any eggs with an off smell or color.
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What's the Best Way to Store Eggs?
Store eggs in the refrigerator, ideally in their original carton to protect them from absorbing odors and flavors from other foods. The refrigerator temperature should be set below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Storing eggs on a shelf, rather than on the door, is recommended to keep the eggs at a consistent temperature, whereas a constantly opening and closing fridge door can cause egg temperature to fluctuate, and the eggs may spoil faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you leave eggs unrefrigerated?
According to the USDA, refrigerated eggs shouldn’t be left out for more than two hours. Any bacteria in or on an egg can multiply quickly at room temperature, and a cold egg left out at room temperature can sweat, increasing the potential movement and growth of bacteria.
Why do Europeans not refrigerate eggs?
In most European countries eggs are not washed or initially refrigerated, which means the eggs retain a protective layer called the cuticle. Since this layer prevents bacterial growth, the eggs don’t need to be placed in the fridge.
How do you know if eggs are bad?
The easiest way to tell if an egg has gone bad is to use the float test. To test an egg, submerge it in a glass of water. If the egg sinks, it’s fresh. If it floats, it has gone bad. If you’ve already cracked an egg, an off color and foul smell are signs of spoilage.
