Eggs are indeed a versatile and nutritious food, but like any perishable item, they have a limited shelf life. When properly stored in the refrigerator, eggs can remain safe to eat for about 3-5 weeks from the date of purchase. However, it’s essential to adhere to proper storage guidelines to ensure their freshness and safety.

To maximize the shelf life of eggs, store them in their original carton in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically in the main body rather than the door where temperatures can fluctuate more. The carton helps protect the eggs from absorbing strong odors and flavors from other foods in the fridge.

It’s also essential to handle eggs with care to prevent contamination. Always wash your hands before and after handling eggs, and avoid cracking them on the edge of bowls or countertops where bacteria could be present. Instead, crack eggs on a clean, flat surface to minimize the risk of introducing contaminants into the egg.

While refrigeration helps extend the shelf life of eggs, it’s crucial to check for signs of spoilage before consuming them. If an egg smells off or appears discolored, slimy, or moldy, it’s best to discard it to avoid the risk of foodborne illness.

Additionally, you can conduct a simple float test to assess the freshness of an egg. Submerge it in a bowl of water: if it sinks and lies flat on the bottom, it’s fresh; if it stands upright or floats, it may no longer be safe to eat and should be discarded.

Why you should never store eggs in the fridge door

Some fridges come with a rack in the door that appears to be a designated egg rack, making it seem like an easy place to store them — but experts are saying that may not be true.

When it comes to preserving eggs, the door is actually the worst place to store your eggs. Not only is the fridge door mobile, but it’s also the warmest part of the appliance.

Due to extreme temperature fluctuations, storing your eggs in the fridge door makes them turn rotten faster, according to storage expert Vlatka Lake.

“When it comes to eggs, there is a huge debate on where they should be kept, with some saying in the fridge and others saying on the counter,” said Lake.

“The general consensus is to store eggs in the fridge, but not in the egg racks commonly found on the fridge door.

“Egg racks are susceptible to changes in temperature due to the fridge door opening and closing and can cause your eggs to go rotten more quickly.”

Good Housekeeping takes this advice one step further, saying the best place to store your breakfast staple is in their original packaging on the middle shelf of your fridge.

“Eggs are at their best when stored at a consistent temperature, so we recommend keeping them in the fridge on the middle shelf,” explained consumer editor Sara Benwell.

Another staple ingredient you shouldn’t be storing in the door of your fridge – even despite its perfect fit — is your milk. Good Housekeeping recommends storing foods that aren’t as likely to go bad in the door.

“Like eggs, the temperature fluctuations can cause the milk to go off quicker. Instead, store foods that have natural preservatives, such as condiments, jams and juice.” (Yahoo UK)

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the nutritional benefits and culinary versatility of eggs while minimizing the risk of foodborne illness.