ASK A RESEARCHER: Eggs last much longer than you think – if stored correctly.
Do you usually store your eggs at room temperature or in the fridge? One of the options significantly extends shelf life, according to an expert.(Photo: Shutterstock /NTB)
Does it matter where the eggs are stored, or is it just a habit?
"Affects the egg's quality over time"
Annonse
Eggs are delicate foods, and how we store them greatly affects both their shelf life and safety.
Professor Marina Elisabeth Aspholm at NMBU researches food safety and veterinary microbiology and has a clear recommendation:
"It is always wise to store eggs in the fridge as it extends their shelf life," she says.
One key reason is that eggs are sensitive to air and temperature changes.
"The eggshell is porous, and there's a gradual evaporation of water and gases through the shell. This affects the egg's quality over time," she explains.
In the fridge, this process happens more slowly. The cold also inhibits the growth of any bacteria that might be present.
"That's why eggs stay fresh and safe much longer in the fridge, often several weeks after the 'best before' date," she says.
Refrigeration extends the shelf life of eggs.(Photo: Hryshchyshen Serhii / Shutterstock / NTB)
Different storage requirements
Eggs sold in Norwegian stores are considered very safe to eat.
According to Aspholm, there is little reason to worry about salmonella in these eggs.
Marina Elisabeth Aspholm, a food safety researcher, emphasises that eggs sold in Norwegian stores are thoroughly monitored and typically very safe.(Photo: NMBU)
"It's important to note that store-bought eggs in Norway are free from salmonella, and we can safely eat them soft-boiled or as raw egg mixtures," she says.
The situation is different in many other countries, where salmonella in eggs is more common, and the storage requirements differ.
In Norway, refrigeration is part of what makes the system safe.
Less oversight for some eggs
Annonse
Eggs from private backyard hens or from countries outside the Nordic region may be less safe.
"If you buy eggs that aren't from the Nordic region, or farm eggs from hens that roam freely, you should be extra cautious and heat-treat them before eating," says Aspholm.
She explains that hens kept outdoors can come into contact with wild birds and other animals that carry bacteria.
This can increase the risk of salmonella.
"Even though the risk is lower in Norway than in many other countries, these types of eggs are subject to less control compared to those sold in stores," she says.
We should be especially careful with farm eggs or eggs that don’t come from the Nordic region, according to Aspholm.(Photo: Shutterstock / NTB)
Can we freeze eggs?
If you want to store eggs for a long time, you can actually freeze them.
"But remove the shell before freezing," says Aspholm.
Freezing can change some of the egg's properties. For example, it becomes harder to whip into a fluffy foam.
But they are still perfectly safe to eat.
"If the eggs contained bacteria before freezing, they won't disappear. Most bacteria handle freezing quite well," she says.
