Food storage reference

Do fresh eggs need to be refrigerated?

Yes. FSIS says shell eggs sold in the United States are labeled "Keep Refrigerated" and stored and shipped under refrigeration, and once they are cold they need to stay that way, never out more than 2 hours. Only pasteurized shell eggs are exempt.

Storage

These are the windows the source publishes, in its own units. Where it publishes none, this page says so rather than filling the gap.

In the fridge: 3 to 5 weeks in the refrigerator
Opened or cracked: Raw whites or yolks cracked out of the shell, 2 to 4 days refrigerated
Where to keep them: Refrigerator. Refrigeration is required here, not optional.

How to use this window

Well Stockd does not know when this food was packed, bought or opened: record the date you bought it, follow the package directions, keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below, and use the official item listing when food safety is in question.

Primary sources and limits

The windows above are quoted from Shell Eggs from Farm to Table, USDA FSIS. Storage times are guidelines: quality varies with packaging, temperature, and how the food is handled. Nothing here overrides a package instruction that says to refrigerate.