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SeattleVet

(5,762 posts)
11. In the US we wash off the protective cuticle that most other countries leave in place.
Tue Oct 7, 2025, 05:32 PM
Tuesday

We wash them to scrub salmonella from the shells, which leaves them porous and subject to infection, but cuts the need for vaccinating chickens.

That means that we have to refrigerate our eggs, but most of the rest of the world doesn't. Here's the USDA info:

https://tellus.ars.usda.gov/stories/articles/how-we-store-our-eggs-bonus-content

Recommendations

5 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

No. elleng Tuesday #1
no Jaydog Tuesday #2
No, the hens don't lay them in the refrigerator lol questionseverything Tuesday #3
I didn't think of that BlueKota Tuesday #8
And they probably weren't refrigerated on the way home from the store Retrograde Wednesday #16
No. CentralMass Tuesday #4
Put them in a bowl of water. CivicGrief Tuesday #5
Thank you. BlueKota Tuesday #9
No enough Tuesday #6
No!! BlueWaveNeverEnd Tuesday #7
In the UK they sell eggs off the shelves not refrigerated. Bev54 Tuesday #10
In the US we wash off the protective cuticle that most other countries leave in place. SeattleVet Tuesday #11
Just an hour . FarPoint Tuesday #12
Nope!!!!! BigmanPigman Tuesday #13
No. But eggs are washed in the US which removes their natural shield from bacteria. I haven't broken my sinkingfeeling Tuesday #14
No poroblem Warpy Wednesday #15
Dear lord, no. PoindexterOglethorpe Thursday #17
Many baking recipes Retrograde Thursday #18
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Cooking & Baking»I accidentally left eggs ...»Reply #11