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The Egg Safety Center represents commercial egg producers, which follow the FDA Egg Safety Rule and state/federal regulatory programs.
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Why are eggs in Europe or some of the egg at the farmers markets not refrigerated?
Eggs in Europe, as well as eggs from smaller egg farms in the U.S. (those with fewer than 3,000 hens), are not required to go through the extensive washing that is required by the USDA’s Egg Safety Rule. Because the natural coating remains on the eggs, combined with the fact that they’ve never been refrigerated and therefore will not sweat, makes it safe for them to be sold at room temperature.