AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Question How long can you leave fresh eggs out on the table? I have chicken's that lay eggs daily.
Answer Hi Annette,
While at one time it was considered common practice to leave fresh eggs at room temperature, it is now not a recommended practice. Farmers are encouraged to refrigerate eggs soon after gathering for 2 reasons -- safety and to lengthen storage time.
It's estimated that eggs age more in one day at room temperature than they do in one week in the refrigerator. And as eggs age, some of their cooking qualities are affected. The yolks and whites become thinner and more prone to breaking when you separate them. You'll also find these eggs harder to poach, as thin whites spread quickly throughout the poaching water instead of clustering around the yolk. And you may notice a large dent in the fat end of hard-cooked eggs. This happens as moisture and carbon dioxide evaporate from the white, allowing air to enter through the porous shell and enlarge the air space.
So how long are unrefrigerated eggs edible? I don't know. It all depends on the temperature of storage and the health of the chicken (did the chicken pass on salmonella). If we give refrigerated eggs 3-5 weeks of edibility and unrefrigerated egg ages 1 week for each day out of refrigeration we can probably say 3-5 days of unrefrigerated storage. However, there are no guarantees that it will remain safe. That's why we recommend refrigeration -- to lesson your chances of illness and to lengthen the storage time.
I hope this has helped. If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.
