Whether fried, scrambled, boiled or poached, eggs are a staple of every British kitchen, making a delicious breakfast choice, a lunch snack or a full-blown dinner option.
But according to white goods retailer Currys, almost half of British homes are actually storing their eggs incorrectly, in direct contravention of official guidance. During these hot summer months especially, food safety is even more paramount, as warm weather can make food go off more quickly.
According to the Food Standards Agency, eggs should be stored “in a cool, dry place, ideally in the fridge and kept apart from other foods”.
With temperatures rising in summer months, improper storage can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses, as bacteria form more quickly in warm conditions. This is also backed up by the British Egg Information Service too.
UK Reddit users have different opinions on whether it is right or not to keep eggs in the fridge in spite of FSA guidelines. In an r/AskUK subreddit thread on the topic one user said: “Where do you pick up eggs in the shop? They’re not refrigerated there so you don’t need to refrigerate them at home.”
But another replied: “Read what it says on your egg carton on how to store the eggs. I have just found this out today and it says to put it in the fridge.”
Shocked, a third said: “Even in the really hot heatwave type weather… I don’t remember ever popping eggs in the fridge.”
The new study by Currys reveals that 43% of UK residents are storing their eggs incorrectly, with over a quarter (27%) keeping them on the worktop, and 16% in a cupboard, despite official guidance advising otherwise.
Currys is urging households to follow the guidance and put eggs in the fridge this summer – specifically on the middle shelf.
It says: “Eggs should be kept on the middle shelf of the fridge as this tends to stay at a more consistent temperature than other areas (especially the fridge door or near the freezer).
“Remember, temperature fluctuations can have a serious impact on the quality and freshness of your eggs. Although they are on the shelf in supermarkets, the shops tend to have a cooler, more ambient temperature thanks to air conditioning which many British homes do not have.
“Eggs benefit from a controlled humidity environment, and the middle shelf is usually better at maintaining the ideal moisture level than other areas in the fridge.”