While this practice does remove unsightly dirt and grime, it also removes a delicate, naturally occurring protective layer from the egg, known as the cuticle. Once its protective barrier has been ...

especially American eggs, which have been processed in a way that removes the natural protective cuticle from the outside of the eggs," says Baldwin. This is also why they need to be refrigerated ...

Eggs can be eaten in many different forms: scrambled, poached, fried, boiled or in omelets, soufflés, custards or meringues. But one way that food safety experts say they shouldn’t be consumed is raw.