There are safety concerns around eating raw eggsbut just how dangerous is it, really?
I’ve also made, served and eaten homemade mayo prepared with raw eggs many times.
Or perhaps you unintentionally consumed undercooked eggs.
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Whatever led you here, you’re wondering if it’s safe to eat raw eggs.
The short answer is no, it’s not completely safe to eat raw eggs.
Is It Safe to Eat Raw Eggs?
Heat killsSalmonella, which is why raw or undercooked eggs are riskier than cooked ones.
While most people recover in 4 to 7 days without treatment, about 400 people die every year fromSalmonellainfection.
It’s estimated that approximately 1 in 20,000 eggs in the U.S. are contaminated withSalmonella.
Why Do People Eat Them?
There are several reasons people might eat raw eggs.
First, there are some dishes that call for raw eggs.
(Cue Sylvester Stallone downing a glass of raw eggs inRocky.)
Are They Healthier Than Cooked Eggs?
And in fact there are some studies that show that protein is better absorbed fromcookedeggs.
Can You Get Sick from Eating Them?
Some signs to look out for include diarrhea, fever, vomiting and stomach cramps.
People who are pregnant should also skip raw and undercooked eggs, according to food safety experts.
“It is possible, but it really depends,” he says.
What About Partially Cooked Eggs?
Is it so important to you to eat a runny egg as opposed to staying safe fromSalmonellaillnesses?"
In 2010, theChicago Tribuneput pasteurized eggs to the test against unpasteurized eggs.
It whips up almost exactly like egg whites and can also be used in baked goods like meringues.
Like other perishable foods, raw eggs should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
That means washing your hands before and after handling the eggs and cleaning any surfaces the raw eggs touch.
And when you crack eggs, don’t put the eggshells back into the carton, even temporarily.
Rogers suggests using eggs within 3 to 5 weeks of purchasing them.
The safest bet if you are planning on eating raw eggs is to opt for pasteurized eggs.
And when handling eggspasteurized or notfollow good food safety practices and wash your hands before and after.
