# Egg and perishable food storage and safety practices > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/egg-storage-practices-and-safety > Updated: 2026-08-24T11:30:00.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 6. Egg storage practices vary significantly based on regional regulations and retail environments. Supermarkets often display eggs on non-refrigerated shelves, relying on stable ambient temperatures and rapid turnover. In many European countries, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, unwashed eggs are kept at room temperature to preserve the natural cuticle. Conversely, in the United States, eggs are washed and disinfected, necessitating refrigeration to prevent Salmonella. To maximize freshness and safety at home, experts emphasize avoiding the refrigerator door, which is the warmest part of the appliance due to frequent exposure to ambient air. Storing eggs, milk, yogurt, meat, fish, and seafood in the deeper, more stable temperature zones of the refrigerator interior helps prevent bacterial proliferation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends maintaining refrigerator temperatures at 4°C (39°F) or lower. Experts, including Associate Professor Nguyen Duy Thinh from Hanoi University of Science and Technology, warn that temperature fluctuations in door compartments can increase the risk of food poisoning. For optimal preservation, eggs should be kept in their original cardboard cartons on an interior shelf with the sharp end down. To assess egg freshness and reduce waste, a water test can be utilized: an egg that lies flat at the bottom is very fresh, one that stands upright on its tip is older but consumable, and an egg that floats to the surface has lost too much moisture and should be discarded. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: Egg storage and freshness testing tips Guidelines for optimal egg preservation suggest storing them on refrigerator shelves rather than in the door and using a water buoyancy test to determine freshness and prevent food waste. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/egg-storage-and-freshness-testing-tips ### 2026-08-19: Food safety experts warn against storing perishables in refrigerator doors Storing perishable foods like milk and eggs in refrigerator doors is discouraged due to temperature fluctuations that can promote bacterial growth and increase food poisoning risks. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/food-safety-experts-warn-against-storing-perishables-in-refrigerator-doors ### 2026-08-16: Food storage tips for eggs and milk in the refrigerator Storing eggs and milk in refrigerator doors can accelerate spoilage due to temperature fluctuations; experts recommend using stable interior shelves instead. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/proper-refrigerator-storage-techniques-for-eggs ### 2026-07-25: Polish experts advise storing eggs in original cartons, not fridge door compartments Polish food‑safety experts say eggs stay fresher when kept in their original cartons on an interior fridge shelf at 0‑5 °C, avoiding door compartments that cause temperature swings. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-experts-advise-storing-eggs-in-original-cartons-not-fridge-door-compartments ### 2026-07-21: Eggs and Frozen Foods: Scientific Insights on Proper Storage Eggs retain a natural cuticle that refrigeration can damage, so Europeans store them at room temperature, while washed U.S. eggs need refrigeration. Frozen foods stay microbiologically safe at –10 °C, though品質可 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eggs-and-frozen-foods-scientific-insights-on-proper-storage ### 2026-07-04: Eggs stored at room temperature in supermarkets explained Supermarkets keep eggs at room temperature due to stable store temperatures, fast turnover, and cost savings; experts still advise home refrigeration for freshness and safety. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eggs-stored-at-room-temperature-in-supermarkets-explained --- Cite as: Egg and perishable food storage and safety practices. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/egg-storage-practices-and-safety