is it safe to eat raw eggs that have not been refrigerated?

[Elizabeth2008]

I was going to make homemade mayo, but I don't refrigerate my eggs. I bought them at the farmer's market and i just noticed that the carton does say "refrigerate after purchase" but they are pastured eggs and I didn't think i needed to. Now my dilemna is whether or not I should use them in my mayo recipe, as they will then be eated raw. Any thoughts?

[Razmatazz]

I never refridgerate my eggs, and always eat them raw. Some eggs have lasted up to a month after being laid at the farm i pick them up from and they've been absolutely fine. Refridgerating eggs can actually degrade the proteins, so to keep the eggs at their optimum it's probably actually better to not refridgerate em.

[Mirzam]

I hope so because my 10 yo DS eats three raw, unrefrigerated eggs a day! The "refrigerate after purchase" is (IMO) CYA fear-based misinformation. I agree with what Razmatazz stated:

Refridgerating eggs can actually degrade the proteins, so to keep the eggs at their optimum it's probably actually better to not refridgerate em.

[kl5]

Thirded. We keep chickens and I never refrigerate their eggs. I am pregnant and eat them raw every day. You might ask your farmer whether the eggs are washed or not. IMO, washing eggs makes them less safe and washed eggs are probably best kept in the fridge.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I thought you had to refrigerate washed eggs, but didn't need to worry about unwashed eggs.

[Magelet]

The major problem with eggs and refridgeration is condensation IIRC. Since eggshells are porous, washing and condensation can cause contamination to get to the inside of the shell. That is why, I beleive, CONTINUED refridgeration is nessicary. If the eggs are never refridgerated, there is no need to keep them cold. however, if the eggs have been chilled, you have to keep them cold.

If the eggs say keep refridgerated, ask the farmer, and if they have been chilled, and kept cold I would stick the next batch in the fridge.

(I wouldn't however, worry about the eggs you have out. eggs are pretty much always obvious when they go bad.)

[WorldsBestMom]

I refrigerate my eggs. I don't eat them raw either, I cook them its very delicious when its cooked and smells better too.

[becalive]

in Australia it is rare to find eggs in the fridge/cold section- i think they must be cleaned somehow, maybe not washed??? sometimes you might find a stray feather in them. somehow over here (USA) it seems taboo to leave eggs out. :S

[Carliegirl]

I knew refrigerating eggs wasn't a thing to get all manic about immedietly after leaving the market but I had no idea you didn't really need to do it at all. How interesting!