What is the consensus regarding egg storage if they have been purchased from a retailer operating under the 'chill chain'?
Answer
Once the egg enters the chill chain, it should remain chilled to prevent condensation and temperature swings.
The decision to chill eggs, whether by the retailer or the consumer, establishes a 'chill chain.' If eggs begin their journey under refrigeration—perhaps because a specific retailer utilizes short-term chilling allowances—the established food safety protocol dictates that this cooling should be maintained. Moving a chilled egg back to ambient temperature, or exposing it to temperature swings, reintroduces the risk of condensation forming on the shell. To avoid this moisture facilitating bacterial penetration, the consensus is that once the chill chain is established, it should continue unbroken until the point of use.
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