"Doctor, my husband brings eggs and puts them all in the fridge. But my mother says it's not good to put eggs in the fridge, they should be kept outside. Who's right, doctor?"
One day, Mrs. Alwis, who came to my clinic, asked me out of curiosity. It's a question that many people have, whether or not they should actually keep eggs in the fridge.
Some say that eggs should be kept in the fridge. Others say that they can be used for about a month without any problems even if they are left outside.
So today, let's talk about what medical science and globally accepted food safety guidelines say about this.
Why do the ways in which eggs are laid differ depending on these countries?
You may have seen on TV or the Internet that in countries like America, eggs are kept in the fridge in supermarkets. However, in countries like Sri Lanka and England, eggs are kept on the shelves. Why is this difference?
In the United States, eggs are washed with special soaps and disinfectants before being sold. This completely removes the natural protective layer (cuticle) on the surface of the eggshell. Therefore, they must be refrigerated because the risk of germs entering the eggs is high.
However, in Sri Lanka, Britain and European countries, eggs are not washed before being sold. Therefore, the natural protective film on the surface of the eggshell remains intact. This prevents the entry of germs from the outside, so they can be stored outdoors at normal room temperature.
What is the best medical method?
According to the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) and health experts, the best and safest way to store eggs at home is in the fridge .
The main reason for this is to prevent infection with Salmonella, a bacteria that is most commonly found in eggs.
Salmonella is a bacteria that causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps, and can even lead to dehydration and death. Storing eggs at a constant temperature below 20 degrees Celsius can completely inhibit the growth of the Salmonella bacteria.
The biggest mistake you can make when storing eggs in the fridge
If you have eggs in the fridge, there is one important rule to remember: Once eggs have been refrigerated, they should never be left out for an extended period of time.
When a cold egg from the fridge is brought back to room temperature, condensation forms on the surface of the eggshell. These droplets allow Salmonella bacteria from outside the egg to easily enter the egg through the tiny pores in the eggshell and grow rapidly.
Also, it is not advisable to store eggs in the egg tray on the door of the refrigerator. This is because the temperature around the door changes every time we open the refrigerator. This temperature fluctuation causes the eggs to spoil quickly.
How to store eggs correctly?
Follow these tips to maintain the quality and safety of eggs:
- Keep with the original packaging: Place the cardboard box or packaging in which the eggs were purchased, on the middle shelf of the fridge. This will help maintain a consistent temperature and prevent the eggs from absorbing odors from other foods.
- Don't wash eggs: Don't wash eggs before putting them in the fridge. Washing them can remove their natural protective coating and allow germs to enter. If necessary, wipe the surface only before cooking.
- Discard broken eggs: Avoid eating an egg if the shell has a chip or crack.
Do's & Don'ts
| ✔️ Things to do (Do) | ❌ Don'ts |
|---|---|
| Store eggs in the same package they were purchased in, on the middle shelf of the refrigerator. | Do not store eggs in the refrigerator door, where the temperature changes frequently. |
| After handling eggs, wash your hands thoroughly with soap. | Do not rinse eggs with water before putting them in the fridge. |
| Boil the eggs well (until the yolk is thick) and eat. | Do not eat eggs with cracked or dirty shells. |
| When buying eggs, check the expiration date (Best Before). | Once frozen, do not leave eggs at room temperature for hours. |
❓ Some other questions you may have (FAQ)
How do you preserve eggs without a fridge? ▼
If you don't have a refrigerator at home, store eggs in the coolest, driest place in your home, out of direct sunlight. Make sure to eat them within 1-2 weeks of purchase.
How to identify a spoiled egg? ▼
Try dropping an egg into a bowl of water. If the egg sits horizontally at the bottom, it is fresh. If the egg floats on the surface of the water, it is an old or spoiled egg. Also, if the egg gives off a foul odor when you break it, discard it immediately.
Is it safe to eat half-boiled eggs? ▼
Because unwashed, raw eggs can contain salmonella bacteria, young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems should cook the egg yolks until they are well-solidified. Even for healthy people, it is safer to eat well-cooked eggs.
What harm does washing eggshells do to the refrigerator? ▼
When washing eggs, bacteria on the eggshell can seep through the tiny pores in the shell along with the water. The water also washes away the egg's natural protective membrane, allowing germs to enter.
Scientific sources (References)
- 📚 Food Standards Agency - GOV.UK Home Food Guidelines
- 📚 An Investigation About the Historic Global Foodborne Outbreaks of Salmonella spp. in Eggs - PubMed Central (PMC)
- 📚 Eggs and Poultry Purchase, Storage, and Preparation Practices of Consumers in Selected Asian Countries - PubMed Central (PMC)
The most important take-home message
- To preserve the natural protective film on the eggshell, you should completely avoid washing eggs before placing them in the refrigerator.
- Leaving eggs that have been refrigerated for a long time at room temperature can cause water droplets to form on their surface, increasing the risk of Salmonella germs entering.
- The safest way to store eggs at home is to place them in the same package they were purchased in, on the middle shelf of the refrigerator (in a place with a constant temperature).
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