Eggs are relatively economical and a good source of protein, making them a popular food item. While some diets may advocate the consumption of raw eggs, that practice is risky; you could be putting yourself at risk for developing salmonella infection, a bacteria-borne illness that affects the digestive system. Get the benefits of eggs by eating them fully cooked.
Salmonella Infection
If you drink a raw egg or otherwise consume raw egg products, you may contract salmonella bacteria. The first symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. You may become dehydrated due to the diarrhea; this can be very serious in young children, the elderly and those with suppressed immune systems. Most of the time, salmonella infection will go away on its own within a few days. If you have eaten raw egg products and develop these symptoms, call your doctor for advice and treatment.
Avoiding Contaminated Eggs
To reduce your chances of getting eggs contaminated with salmonella bacteria, buy them from the refrigerator case at your local grocer or convenience store. Check the carton of eggs before purchasing to make sure they aren't past their expiration date, and don't buy a carton with cracked or dirty eggs. Some stores carry eggs that are pasteurized. This means that they were heated enough to kill bacteria, but so much as to cook the eggs in their shells. Pasteurized eggs are labeled as such.
Avoiding Infection
Once you get your eggs home, put them in the refrigerator right away and keep them there until you are ready to cook them. After cracking your eggs, throw away the shells and wash your hands, along with any bowls or other surfaces the egg might have touched, with warm, soapy water. Cook the eggs until the white and yolk are no longer runny. If you are using the eggs in a recipe, be sure that the finished product is heated to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Common Culprits
Sometimes you might not realize that you are consuming raw eggs. Don't taste cake batters or cookie doughs before they are fully cooked if they contain raw eggs. Certain recipes are likely to contain raw eggs if prepared in a home. These include tiramisu sauce, mayonnaise, Caesar salad dressing, Hollandaise sauce and eggnog. If you buy these products at the grocery store, they are usually made with cooked or pasteurized eggs. If you are ordering them in a restaurant, ask if raw eggs are used.
Member Comments