Should you keep eggs in the fridge in Australia?

In Australia, most commercial eggs are lightly washed before they are sent to the shops. This helps remove dirt, feathers and surface bacteria from the egg shells. Unlike the US and some other countries, though, Australian producers generally don’t use chemical sanitisers or aggressive washing methods. This means that while the washing process may reduce some of the egg’s natural coating, known as the cuticle or bloom, much of it remains intact.

This thin layer of cuticle acts as a natural barrier, helping protect the egg contents from bacteria like Salmonella. This partial protection allows Australian eggs to be safely kept on supermarket shelves at room temperature in Australia, whereas the American system removes this protective coating and therefore requires eggs to be fridged.

While eggs are often sold unrefrigerated in Australian supermarkets, food safety experts still recommend storing them in the fridge once you bring them home. Refrigeration slows bacterial growth, preserves freshness, and helps maintain quality, especially if you plan to use raw eggs in dishes where they’ll be lightly cooked or uncooked (like egg yolks in runny yolks, mayonnaise or mousse).

A lot of people follow the rule of thumb that if eggs were refrigerated at the shop, they must be kept in the fridge at home, but if the eggs were on the shelf, they can be stored either in or out of the fridge.

When eggs that have been stored in a fridge at the supermarket are taken home and left unfridged, condensation can form on the egg shells. Even if the eggs still have their protective natural coating, this condensation can increase the risk of bacteria multiplying on the surface. For this reason, it’s safer to keep eggs in the fridge at home if that’s how they were kept in the store.

When eggs have been stored unrefrigerated in the shop, it’s OK to continue storing them that way for a short time when you get them home, but it’s still best to refrigerate them to extend their shelf life and minimise the risk of Salmonella or food poisoning. This is true throughout the year, even in the winter. With home heating, room temperatures can still fluctuate and speed up bacterial growth, so be consistent and pop them in the fridge, whatever the season.

If your household goes through a lot of eggs - or buys in bulk when finding some after yet another shortage - you might find fridge space a challenge. A larger fridge with adjustable shelving, good airflow and space for more than one carton of eggs can help.

Appliances Online has a huge selection of fridges to keep your eggs fresh, from top and bottom mounts, to side by sides and French door models. And with our legendary FREE delivery we can usually get it to you by the next day (Mon-Fri). We even offer paid Same Day Delivery in NSW, QLD, and VIC metro areas if you order before 12pm on weekdays.

Plus, we’ll take your old fridge away for recycling, for free. Check out our full range of fridges here, and if you have any questions, just call our friendly team 24/7 on 1300 000 500, or message us via the chat icon at the bottom of your screen.