Use or toss eggs?

[mamaof5boys]

I just realized I left a whole carton of eggs in a grocery bag on the counter for about four hours. My kitchen is probably 80 degrees today. Are they still safe to use?

[cristeen]

I never refrigerate eggs. In most of the world theyre not refrigerated.

[mamaof5boys]

Originally Posted by cristeen

I never refrigerate eggs. In most of the world theyre not refrigerated.

Are these farm eggs, or store bought?

[damona]

the eggs should be fine. i've done that a couple time before.

what i've heard is that in america, we refrigerate eggs because they are thoroughly washed (store bought ones, at least), whereas most other countries they simply wipe off the worst of the muck. the washing removes the protective coating, which is why we refrigerate them. is this right? or am i misinformed?

[JElaineB]

Originally Posted by damona

the eggs should be fine. i've done that a couple time before.

what i've heard is that in america, we refrigerate eggs because they are thoroughly washed (store bought ones, at least), whereas most other countries they simply wipe off the worst of the muck. the washing removes the protective coating, which is why we refrigerate them. is this right? or am i misinformed?

You're right. In the USA if they are from the store they need to be refridgerated because they've been washed. However if they have only been out for 4 hours then I would stick them in the fridge and use them.

[mamaof5boys]

Thank you so much for the great info!! I have a friend from Poland and she had told me that they will cook a stew and leave it in the pot on the stove overnight (no heat) and continue to eat out of it for days with no issues. Her American husband gets sick every time they travel there...