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SeattleVet

(5,832 posts)
11. In the US we wash off the protective cuticle that most other countries leave in place.
Tue Oct 7, 2025, 04:32 PM
Oct 2025

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 Oct 2025 #1
no Jaydog Oct 2025 #2
No, the hens don't lay them in the refrigerator lol questionseverything Oct 2025 #3
I didn't think of that BlueKota Oct 2025 #8
And they probably weren't refrigerated on the way home from the store Retrograde Oct 2025 #16
No. CentralMass Oct 2025 #4
Put them in a bowl of water. CivicGrief Oct 2025 #5
Thank you. BlueKota Oct 2025 #9
No enough Oct 2025 #6
No!! BlueWaveNeverEnd Oct 2025 #7
In the UK they sell eggs off the shelves not refrigerated. Bev54 Oct 2025 #10
In the US we wash off the protective cuticle that most other countries leave in place. SeattleVet Oct 2025 #11
Just an hour . FarPoint Oct 2025 #12
Nope!!!!! BigmanPigman Oct 2025 #13
No. But eggs are washed in the US which removes their natural shield from bacteria. I haven't broken my sinkingfeeling Oct 2025 #14
No poroblem Warpy Oct 2025 #15
Dear lord, no. PoindexterOglethorpe Oct 2025 #17
Many baking recipes Retrograde Oct 2025 #18
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