Egg storage warning over popular kitchen method that can speed up 'spoilage'

Eggs are a staple in the diets of many Irish people. Their versatility means they can be used for everything from a hearty breakfast to a homemade cake. Whether boiled, scrambled, fried or baked eggs are one of the most popular grocery items - but how you store them can significantly impact their freshness and safety.

Eggs can last surprisingly long on the shelf, that doesn't mean they'll maintain their taste. While some people favour the kitchen counter or a decorative egg holder, other egg enthusiasts opt for the fridge.

With this in mind, a food expert has warned about a common blunder people make when storing eggs in the fridge. Jason Webb, managing director of Electronic Temperature Instruments (ETI), revealed to Wren Kitchens that there's one particular shelf that could pose a health risk, reports the Express.

In response to the 1.3 billion tonnes of food wasted globally each year, Wren Kitchens sought answers to some of the most googled food storage questions. Mr Webb informed the kitchen experts that one factor to consider for longevity is how well eggs really fare in the fridge door.

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He stated: "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 added: "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."

Salmonella, a bacteria that can cause foodborne illness or food poisoning, can infiltrate eggs through their shells. 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.

Experts at British Lion Eggs advocate for the original carton as the best option for maintaining egg freshness at home. They explained: "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."

The reason why the carton trumps storing eggs loosely in the fridge is due to the tiny pores in eggshells that can allow bacteria and odours from other foods to permeate over time. The specialists at British Lion Eggs advised: "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."

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