You’ve heard it a thousand times, but with holiday baking in full swing, we’re here to say it once more: Don’t eat raw cookie dough. If you don’t believe us, maybe you’ll believe Lisa Shelley and Ellen Shumaker, food safety experts at NC State. Here’s why Shelley and Shumaker say we shouldn’t eat raw baking dough — plus, they give us info on how to make eggnog that won’t make us sick and other food safety tips ahead of Christmas.
CAN EATING RAW COOKIE DOUGH REALLY GET ME SICK?
Unfortunately, yes. There are two potential risks associated with eating raw cookie dough, or dough from any other baking project.
- Raw egg: Raw eggs can contain salmonella.
- Raw flour: Raw flour can contain Escherichia coli, also known as E. coli.
“Sugar cookies are a popular baked good this time of year,” Shelley said. “I know it’s tempting, but wait until they’re baked to sample and snack.”
HOW TO MAKE EGGNOG SAFELY
Homemade eggnog is another sugary (and sometimes alcohol-spiked) treat that can potentially make you sick.
This is because eggnog is made with raw eggs — but there is still a safe way to make it.