While eggs are nutritious, and seem to last forever in the fridge, you should not go overboard eating them or keep them stored improperly. There is a limit to how many eggs you can safely eat per week. You should also never store your eggs or even store your milk in some particular areas of your fridge.
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As advised by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as well as the American Egg Board, here is the maximum amount of time you should be storing your eggs in the fridge.
How long can you store eggs?
As per the USDA, after you purchase eggs, for their optimal storage, you should take them straight home and store them immediately in the refrigerator set at 40°F or slightly below 5°C. Its better to store them in the carton.
You should keep them in the coldest part of the fridge, which is definitely not the fridge door!
Before buying eggs, do check the cartons and make note of the 'Sell-By' or EXP (expiration) date. As per USDA, eggs may be refrigerated 3 to 5 weeks from the day they are placed in the fridge.
But do note that, as per Chewhound the 5 weeks storage time is only applicable to eggs from the supermarket, sold commercially. If you purchase farm eggs, your eggs can be stored in room temperature, and last for two weeks.
Refrigeration time for eggs in different forms
As per American Egg Board, if your supermarket eggs are stored in a fridge immediately after purchase within a temperature of 35°F to 40°F, here is how long you can store eggs in different forms,
- Raw whole eggs (in shell) can be stored for 4 to 5 weeks beyond the pack date or about 3 weeks after purchase
- Raw whole eggs (slightly beaten)can be stored for up to 2 days
- Raw egg whites lasts about 4 days
- Raw egg yolks can be kept until 2 days
- Hard-boiled eggs (in shell) can be stored in the fridge for 1 week
- Hard-boiled eggs (peeled) should be used the same day for best quality
Eating very old, or improperly stored eggs can put you at risk of contracting food-borne infections or diseases.
Read more:
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⋙ This incredible trick for cracking eggs will change your life
Sources used:
USDA: ' How long can you store eggs in the refrigerator?'
The Incredible Egg (American Egg Board) : ' How Long Do Eggs Last'
Chewhound: ' How Long Do Eggs Really Last In The Refrigerator?'
