Eating unrefrigerated eggs

[HelloFreshed]

Recently moved to the US. we picked up some eggs about 3 days ago (taken from the fridge) and I forgot to put them back in the fridge when I got home. I just had scrambled eggs. What are the chances I’ll be sick?

Well obviously but why would you expect a the users of a UK forum to know about US egg practices? You didn’t say give the context or aim it at the handful of US MNers on here. Then you are super arsy when replying 🤷🏻‍♀️

Hope you’re ok, OP.

How do other Brits store their eggs? I generally put them in the fridge but once saw an egg ‘helter skelter’ storage rack where you put them on the top in date order, then used them from the bottom. I think it was in John Lewis or a NT shop. I didn’t buy it at the time but it has occurred to me since that it might be quite useful!

iminvestednow hope you feel better for venting your spleen on the OP.

I am sure you will be fine OP, you'd have known if they were off.

Thank you for the helpful replies. As usually it seems some users can’t simply answer a question without the need to be negative or rude

I shall hope for the best. Thanks again

I’ve always followed the supermarkets regarding eggs storage, currently the eggs in the UK are just out in the shop, I use a lot so generally don’t get to the date on the egg but it I do I break into a cup and have a good look and if necessary sniff it, but more often than not they are fine.

My apologies, I’ve just read the part about the bonkers U.S. treatment of eggs! If only they came in a some kind of natural protective coating!

@ComfyBoobs What I don’t get is why you felt the need to chime in if you didn’t have helpful information to give. Then say I’m arsy??

madness

I think you'll be fine. As many others have said, it would be obvious if they were rotten. The other potential issue is bacterial contamination - I don't think hens in the US area vaccinated against salmonella the way they are here. But as long as they were thoroughly cooked that should have killed off any bacteria.

@Heyhoherewegoagain @Noisynoisyconservatoryroof

thank you for the helpful reply. Yes it’s all new to me as things are different to how they are back home. Slowly getting used to things. Thank you. I will see how I feel in a few hours.

I’m in Canada- eggs are sold in fridges in supermarkets here too

i keep the big box in the fridge and have 6 in the pantry as I always want room temp eggs for baking / boiling . Replace them from the fridge supply as I use them.

never ever had any issues OP. You’ll be fine

Just on the salmonella thing, the reason that UK eggs usually have the lion mark stamp is because the chickens are vaccinated against it. And in the US they’re not. I think that’s part of why the pregnancy guidelines are slightly different between the two countries for eating Eggs too. I’m assuming that’s still the case, it was a few years ago.

So you can reflect on your approach and consider how to engage more constructively next time 😊

White hens lay White eggs ! I don't know what is the American recommendations? You don't have to put eggs in the fridge in the UK.

@AnonyLonnymouse Thank you. I’m feeling fine at the moment but hope I don’t get sick. I usually store my eggs at room temperature back home but being here I know there is so much emphasis on keeping the eggs refrigerated. I know there’s a risk of salmonella but wanted to know how high that risk is and is others have done something similar.

I will hope for the best and expect the worst. Thanks x

@ComfyBoobs And I hope you do the same. Respect is mutual. Hope you learn something from that.

@AllTheWatersTurnedToClouds Thank you. That’s reassuring.

Crazy to find another user who isn’t in the UK…since it’s been highlighted to me that apparently that is a UK forum so I the expectation is that I should no longer use it

This is a bit faffy, but you can check if an egg is fresh before you break it by placing it carefully into a jug of water. If it rises to the top, it’s gone off, but if it stays at the bottom, it’s fine to eat.

Never tested it on a US egg though!

Sadly, animal husbandry standards in the US are way worse than in Europe. Hence washed eggs (to remove all the shit they're covered with as a result of chickens being crammed together, chicken meat washed with chlorine (ditto), hormones in milk and meat...

I’ve no kids either OP - shocking, eh?!

Oh come on.

You came to a UK forum with a niche question about US eggs without making the context clear, then slated people who gave you an answer which didn’t take account of US practices.

If you had been clearer and more polite you would have had a different experience. This is on you.

I have a helter skelter egg rack. I have my own hens so place the eggs on the rack in order as they are collected and you use the eggs at the bottom of the rack first and then the remaining eggs gradually roll down. I think mine holds about 30 eggs. I bought mine from Omlet.co.uk

Just want ti point out that white eggs aren’t bleached. White eggs, brown eggs and every shade in between are all natural colours. Just depends on the chicken they come from.
Americans like white eggs as they like them looking more “clean”, so their eggs are white. British like brown eggs as we like them looking “natural” so we have brown eggs in our shops.
But really, they’re both natural and have no difference.

The reason American eggs need to be in the fridge is because they are washed so the shell is affected and doesn’t protect in the way it should.

What I’m asking is, what are the chances I will be sick from eating previously refrigerated eggs that were not refrigerated for 3 days

I don't think anybody can give you a likelihood, OP. It's possible you might get ill. Salmonella bacteria isn't detectable by taste, smell or visually, so those saying 'you can smell a bad egg from miles away' aren't entirely right in terms of whether it can make you sick. But if you think about the number of people who must eat old/off food, including eggs, every day, and the relatively rare circumstance of someone getting food poisoning, it's most likely you'll be just fine.

It's mumsnet.com, it's an international forum.