Egg safety guidelines for room temperature storage

According to the American Egg Board, eggs can safely remain at room temperature for approximately two hours. However, if the temperature is 32 °C (90 °F) or higher, this limit decreases to one hour.

To minimize the risk of salmonella contamination, it is recommended to store eggs in a refrigerator at temperatures below 4 °C and to discard any cracked eggs. Proper hygiene, such as washing hands and utensils after contact with raw eggs, is also advised.

Storage practices vary by region. In the United States, eggs are washed and disinfected before sale, which removes their natural protective coating and necessitates refrigeration. In many other countries, eggs are sold unwashed, allowing them to retain a natural coating that helps them remain fresh at room temperature, though this may also leave salmonella present on the shell.