Do I need to store eggs in the refrigerator

Eggs only pretend to be a simple product, but in fact no one even really knows how to store them. In the US, keep in the fridge, in some European countries do not bother. In Russia, for eggs the rules.

The more dangerous the eggs

The main danger to health - it's not the eggs themselves, and salmonella bacteria. They live in the intestines of many warm-blooded animals. There they behave peacefully, but when you get into the food, are dangerous to humans.

Salmonella cause serious diseases - typhus and salmonellosis. Their main symptoms - nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. They may be deadly for the elderly, young children and for all those who have weakened immune systems, or have a severe chronic illness.

Salmonella come to the table with the bad washed vegetables, Meat and eggs. In Russia, in the year get sick of salmonellosis to 50 000 people.

For the safety of the food that arrives in stores (these stores themselves), constantly check the health services, but fully protect against all the bacteria will not work.

At 4 ° C salmonellae growth stops, and if the egg to warm to 71 ° C, all the bacteria die.

Eggs, for example, can contain bacteria and outside, if they hit the shell, and inside, if the chicken was infected with salmonella and penetrated the egg before shell formation. And how these eggs are stored and prepared, the risk of infection is dependent.

Salmonella though become resistant to different drugs, still more or less the same everywhere. But how in the country to deal with them, it depends on the question of where to store the eggs.

Why do the Americans keep eggs in the refrigerator

In the US salmonella destroy the outside - clean the eggs before they put on saleReduction of Salmonella enterica on the surface of eggshells by sequential treatment with aqueous chlorine dioxide and drying.. Washed in hot water, treated with a disinfecting solutionInactivation of Salmonella on Eggshells by Chlorine Dioxide Gas.. Approximately the same is done in Japan, Australia and the Scandinavian countriesShould You Refrigerate Eggs?.

With salmonella shell is removed, but the internal bacteria such eggs cleaning does not solve the problem.

Besides, the thin protective film is destroyed during cleaning, which covers the eggs. Because of this bacterium, which will meet after the egg wash, easily penetrate the shellEffects of egg shell quality and washing on Salmonella Infantis penetration..

The refrigerator Salmonella do not die, but do not multiply.

Therefore, the processed eggs stored outside in a refrigerator at a temperature of not higher than 7 ° C. All that has gone to refrigeratorLonger to heat up should not be. This is important: if the eggs are clean dragged several times to heat the washing may be lost in vain.

Why Europe's eggs in the refrigerator is not placed

We can not say that in general there is no salmonella in EuropeCases of salmonellosis disease in European countries. But especially the eggs are not processed. You bet on vaccination and sanitary conditionsPrevention of egg contamination by Salmonella Enteritidis after oral vaccination of laying hens. .

But to wash eggs in most European Union countries can not, so as not to destroy the natural barriers to infection, which preserve food fresh for up to three weeksNumbers of Salmonella enteritidis in the contents of naturally contaminated hens' eggs.. But the refrigerator - it is optional. Of course, the eggs still can not be stored at high temperatures, they should be chilled, but the temperature should be close to zero.

What to do with eggs in Russia

We have for the quality of the eggs is responsible Rospotrebnadzor and sanitary and veterinary inspections, which check whether all poultry farms comply with sanitary norms and rulesSanitary rules SP 3.1.7.2616-10. .

Eggs and poultry (and other animals) need to be screened regularly and if there are infected animals - vaccination, processed products and the right to fight the plagueSanitary rules SP 3.1.086-96. Veterinary Regulations VP 13.4.1318-96. . That is, we try to prevent infection even at the production stage. Therefore, the eggs that you purchase in rural areas may be more dangerous than eggs from factory. All households to check for salmonella impossible.

According to the standards of the shell we do not wash. If the eggs are intended for long-term storage, they can not be washed. But dirty and can not be sold, too,SanPiN 2.3.5.021-94. . Do eggs hard shelf life.

That is, Russia can be eggs in the refrigerator not to put, but only if briefly. Rospotrebnadzor, by the way, the Council has already bought the egg wash and place in refrigerator to Salmonella did not jump around the fridge with shell on products and backSalmonellosis: measures of disease prevention. . And at the same time to give up fried eggs, scrambled eggs and sauces with raw eggs.

How to store eggs in the refrigerator

As already clear from the sanitary norms, the eggs can be stored is not very long. Refrigerator inhibits the growth of bacteria and extends the shelf life, but the eggs during storage must take into account the nuances:

• Eggs absorb odors. For example, begin to smell like onions or fish. To this was not, store eggs in closed containers (preferably close food that smells strongly).
• Eggs can not be put on the door. Eggs are important not just to put in the refrigerator - they need a special place, it is best near the rear wall. Because in the access door of constant temperature changes destroy the protection shell and provoke the growth of bacteriaToward better control of Salmonella contamination by taking advantage of the egg's self-defense system. .
• Cold eggs are poorly suited to baking. If you are going to send the eggs in a cake or a pie, first they need to warm up to room temperature.

If you intend to use the eggs quickly, they can be in the refrigerator and do not put. Enough to store in a cool place in the room, and wash just before cooking.