Eggs have a surprisingly long shelf life but it doesn’t mean that they’ll taste as good in the two weeks after buying them.
While some people prefer the kitchen counter or a ceramic egg holder, often in the shape of a hen, the fridge is the go-to for many egg fans.
Whether bought for eating on their own or whipped up into a delicious cake, proper food storage etiquette is essential to ensure eggs last as long as possible.
But one food expert has urged people to recognise the common mistake they may be making when putting eggs in the fridge.
Jason Webb, managing director of Electronic Temperature Instruments (ETI) told Wren Kitchens, that there’s one shelf in particular that’s problematic for our health.
In light of 1.3 billion tonnes of food being wasted globally each year, Wren Kitchens has sought the answers to some of the most searched-for food storage queries.
Jason Webb told the kitchen experts that one area to consider for longevity is how well eggs really last in the fridge door.
He said: “Eggs are recommended to be stored within fridges at around 4C to remain fresh and safe to consume.
“However, storing eggs within frequently opened and closed fridge door storage trays can lead to a fluctuation and rise in temperature, accelerating egg spoilage.”
Jason continued: “With this constant temperature disruption, eggs will rise in temperature away from the optimum 4C, and if continuous, it can pose the risk of bacteria such as salmonella.”
This bacteria can cause foodborne illness or food poisoning and occurs when salmonella migrates through the shell into the egg.
However, it is easily avoided by considering alternative methods of food storage, and also by cooking the eggs to a specific temperature before eating them.
According to the experts at British Lion Eggs, “nothing can beat the original carton” when it comes to keeping eggs fresh at home.
They said: “Not only does the box protect the eggs, but it also shows the best before the date which you can refer back to any time you’re unsure.”
As for why the carton is better than keeping eggs loose in the fridge, eggs have tiny pores which bacteria from other foods and smells such as food odour and flavouring can seep through over time.
The British Lion Eggs experts claimed: “For optimum quality and safety, you want to make sure your eggs are kept at a steady temperature below 20C, so try to avoid moving them too often between very cold and very warm temperatures such as between a hot car and fridge, or fridge and hot kitchen.”
