do eggs need to be kept in the fridge?

Question

I keep seeing eggs out of the fridge when at friends, yet in my house we always kept them in the fridge, and the storage advice always mentions the fridge... but they keep them out at the supermarket.

I'm confused! Any clarity is much appreciated!!

Answer 1

In the US, eggs must be washed before arrival at the grocery store, by law. This removes the 'cuticle' which would ordinarily protect the very absorbent shell.

In the UK eggs are not washed, the cuticle remains, and eggs are much more counter-stable.

Answer 2

As everyone else has stated, you do buy eggs from a refrigerated case - I have never seen eggs that were not refrigerated. In the US, eggs are required to be kept at or below 45 °F during transport and at stores to prevent any possible bacteria present from multiplying. If an egg has been un-refrigerated for more than 2 hours it should be thrown away. Refrigeration also really does keep eggs fresher - the whites get thinner; the yolks get flatter and break more easily when the egg is not refrigerated. So use that little egg tray for your eggs!

Answer 3

I have never seen eggs in fridges in the supermarket either. I have done both had in fridge and not and as a veggie I eat quite a few. I have never had food poisoning either way so I would say its a personal choice and as long as you eat by the best before date I don't see a problem. The way to tell if an egg is off if it floats to the top in water.

Answer 4

You don't have to keep eggs in the fridge, and as you quite rightly point out the eggs in the UK supermarkets are not refridgerated.

However, most people do put eggs in the fridge. Like most things, the shelf life is normally a bit longer if the item is kept cool.

Personally, I put my eggs in the fridge.

Answer 5

It's not essential, as you say they're not kept in a fridge at the supermarket. They should be kept in a cool dry place, and kept apart from other foods. In a warm kitchen there is an increased risk of salmonella and other bacteria, and they'll go off more quickly.
I keep a few in a covered stoneware container, the rest are in the fridge.

Answer 6

Proper Storage

Eggs should never be stored at room temperature, but there are recipes that require eggs to be at or near room temperature before incorporating them into the other ingredients in the recipe. Egg whites that will be beaten should be at room temperature because this helps the whites to reach their maximum volume when beaten. Approximately 30 minutes is required for eggs to reach room temperature after removing them from the refrigerator. Eggs should not be away from refrigeration for more than 2 hours, so the time required to allow the eggs to warm to room temperature, as well as the total preparation time of the recipe, should not exceed the 2 hour maximum. This should be considered when planning the steps required for the preparation of a recipe using eggs that must be at room temperature.

Refrigerator Storage

Eggs should be stored in the refrigerator in the carton they were packed in. Many refrigerators provide storage for eggs in special units in the door, but this is not the ideal place for storing eggs because the temperature fluctuates so much in the door when it is opened and closed. Eggs should be stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator where the temperature remains constant. Eggs keep best when they are stored at temperatures of no higher than 40°F. The ideal temperature range is 33°F to 38°F. When the temperature is above 40°F, harmful bacteria may grow rapidly. Although salmonella are not destroyed in temperatures below 40°F, any of the bacteria that may be present will not multiply when the temperature is below 40°F.

Eggs should be stored with the rounded end pointed up in order to keep the air cell on top and to help keep the yolk centered in the egg. Never store eggs next to strong smelling foods because eggshells are porous and will allow strong odors to be absorbed into the egg over time. This is another reason why it is a good idea to store eggs in the original protective carton.

Freezer Storage

For long term storage, eggs and egg products may be frozen. If stored properly, eggs will emerge from the freezer no better or worse, in terms of quality, than when they first entered the freezer. The temperature of the freezer compartment must be at 0°F or less and the eggs should be stored in an area of the freezer where there is the least amount of temperature change. Eggs and egg products should not be stored in the door compartment of the freezer, especially if the door is opened frequently.

Whole eggs can be beaten slightly and placed in a container with a tight seal and stored in the freezer for as long as a year. Egg whites may be stored in the freezer for up to a year in a tightly sealed container. Egg yolks may also be stored in the freezer, but sugar or salt must be added to keep the yolks from becoming too thick and gelatinous over time. Add a pinch of salt per yolk if the yolks will be used for savory dishes or about a ¼ teaspoon of sugar per yolk if the yolks will be used for sweet dishes.

Like other perishable foods that have been frozen, eggs should be defrosted in the refrigerator and should never be allowed to thaw at room temperature. Thawing foods on the countertop encourages the the growth of harmful bacteria, especially on the outside edges of the food

Answer 7

I was always taught to keep them in the fridge, but have since found out that you are not supposed to. Am not sure why, that bit I missed.
The supermarkets do not put them in the fridge.
Yet manufacturers of fridges put special egg trays in.
I keep mine in a cool place in the pantry.
Also many cookery books do say that eggs should be at room temp before using.
I have no probs and I always test for freshness before using anyway.( Jug of cold water, if eggs sink they are o.k, if float to top throw away)
Hope this has helped, but don't make a yoke out of it!!!

Answer 8

I dont think it makes much difference
I always keep my eggs in the fridge if if im going to boil a egg I leave it in room temperature for a while to help stop the egg shell from cracking

Answer 9

I don't keep them in the fridge. The supermarkets here in Spain don't refrigerate them either. Most recipes call for eggs at room temperature. Just make sure you use them before the use by date.

Answer 10

They don't have to be kept in a fridge but I always do because I keep everything that could quickly go off in a fridge.