In the United States, eggs are typically stored in the refrigerator, whereas in many other countries, eggs are kept at room temperature. This difference in storage methods is due to differences in food safety regulations and how eggs are produced and processed.
In the U.S., eggs are washed and sanitized before they are packaged and sold. This process removes the natural protective coating on the egg, called the cuticle, which makes the egg more susceptible to bacteria. As a result, U.S. food safety regulations require eggs to be refrigerated to slow the growth of bacteria and prevent foodborne illness.
Other countries such as Europe, Australia and some Asian countries have different regulations and most of them don't clean and sanitize the eggs before packaging. Instead, they have different measures to prevent contamination during the production process, such as keeping chickens in specific conditions, and farmers may only sell eggs that pass certain quality tests.
The storage of eggs at room temperature does not affect the quality or taste of the eggs as long as they are fresh and not expired, and will be consumed within a week. However, it is important to keep in mind that, refrigerated eggs can last longer and are less likely to be affected by bacteria.
In conclusion, whether to store eggs in the refrigerator or not, it depends on the country's regulations and how the eggs are produced and processed. The U.S. stores eggs in the refrigerator because of food safety regulations, while other countries have different regulations and methods that allow them to store eggs at room temperature.