Some egg-citing debates about eggs 

To chill or not to chill?   

If you’re a native of Britain, or a number of other countries across the globe, you might be surprised to find that eggs are refrigerated in American grocery stores.     

Conversely, if you’re American and on a tour of the British Isles, you may wonder where their cartons of eggs are kept. 
The answer: in an aisle, on a shelf.   

Horrified, you think, “Like cereal!?”    

What in the salmonella is going on here?   

Egg producers in the United States are most often required to wash their eggs to prevent illness-causing salmonella. The washing process includes enzymes and soaps that can strip eggs of the outer protective cuticle that keeps them safe from bacteria. Without this extra layer of protection, the washed eggs have to be refrigerated to guard against bacteria.   

Britain and many other countries around the globe avoid the need to refrigerate eggs by not washing them in the first place. Many places prohibit washing eggs because careless washing procedures have the potential to do more harm than good. Because unwashed eggs keep their outermost shells intact, refrigerating them is optional.  

Cracking the case: brown eggs vs. white eggs  

In another aisle (refrigerated or not) you’re faced with another debate. Should you buy the brown eggs or the white eggs? The common belief is that brown eggs are better for you than white eggs. Brown foods are assumed to be healthier, right? Whole-grain bread, wheat pasta, brown rice and other brown food products are all significantly more nutritious than their white counterparts. However, this trend stops with eggs. A study released by Poultry Science found that white eggs and brown eggs are essentially the same when it comes to nutritional content and health benefits.  

Although brown eggs tend to cost more than white eggs, this price difference does not reflect any difference in nutrient quality or nutritional value. Brown eggs are more expensive not because they are better or healthier, but because they usually come from larger chickens that cost more to raise. This lack of nutritional difference means the color of eggs you buy is completely a matter of personal preference.