IS IT SAFE TO EAT RAW EGGS?

 Is it safe to eat raw eggs?
 
Whatever brought you here, you’re wondering if it’s safe to eat raw eggs. The short answer is no, it is not healthy to eat eggs. Here’s what you need to know about the risks and how to reduce them.

 Is it safe to eat raw eggs?

Eating raw eggs puts you at risk of salmonellosis, a food-borne illness caused by Salmonella bacteria that can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach upset. Salmonella can be found on the outside of the egg but also inside the egg itself. Heat kills salmonella, so raw or undercooked eggs are more dangerous than cooked eggs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 1 million people in the United States become ill each year from eating food contaminated with Salmonella. Although most people recover within four to seven days without treatment, about 400 people die each year from Salmonella infection. 

In the United States, salmonellosis has been linked to fresh or undercooked eggs, as well as meat, poultry, flour or undercooked meat, dairy products, fruits, and leafy greens. – raw sprouts, fresh vegetables, nut butters and nut spreads. . and even pet food and treats. Although efforts are made to identify the source of foodborne illness, it can be difficult to find the source of the disease. Therefore, it is not known how many Salmonella infections cause illness and death from eggs.
 
It is estimated that about one in 20,000 eggs in the United States is contaminated with Salmonella. While that number may seem impressive.

Read also:WHEN TO SWITCH FROM CHICK STARTER TO GROWER: A GUIDE FOR POULTRY FARMERS

Why do people eat raw eggs? 

There are many reasons why people may eat raw eggs. First, some dishes require an egg. Some recipes that call for scrambled eggs, egg yolks, or egg whites include homemade mayonnaise, eggnog, chocolate mousse, homemade ice cream, Vietnamese cà phê trẩn (egg coffee ) and cocktails that get foam from egg whites. If you add in cookie dough before you bake your cookies, you’ll also be eating eggs (and flour, which can also cause bacterial infections).

 Some people also eat eggs unknowingly, like if you’re served an undercooked omelette at a restaurant and don’t realize it until it’s too late.
 
But there are also people who eat raw eggs because they think it’s a good way to increase protein in their diet

 Are raw eggs better than cooked eggs?
 
Although some people think that raw eggs are good for building health And in fact, some studies show that the protein is better concentrated in boiled eggs. If this data is true and the protein from hard-boiled eggs is more digestible, then it’s better for those who work because you’re putting more protein from acooked egg than raw eggs. Considering the well-known risks of eating raw eggs and the unproven benefits.

 
Can you get sick from eating raw eggs?

 As explained above, exposure to Salmonella can occur by eating raw or undercooked eggs. If you think that just because you’ve never been sick from eating raw eggs before, you won’t  Some of the signs to watch for include diarrhea, fever, vomiting and upset stomach. stress. Symptoms usually begin six hours to six days after the infection and last four to seven days, according to the CDC.
 
Children under 5, adults 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get sick and get seriously ill from Salmonella, the CDC says, and experts Consumer Reports and other food safety experts.
 
Pregnant women should also avoid raw and under cooked eggs, according to food safety experts.

Read also:Poultry Farming For Beginners

 Myths about raw egg safety

You may have heard that organic eggs are less contaminated with Salmonella, but there’s no truth to that Salmonella can colonize chickens when they leave the poultry house, so they can transmit Salmonella to the eggs they lay regardless of their living conditions. 

Regarding the theory that alcohol in cocktails kill salmonella,  although alcohol can kill salmonella, there are many variables involved, including how much alcohol. It’s possible, but it really depends.

What About Partially Cooked Eggs?

In general, the temperature of frying eggs is sufficient to kill salmonella in the product, as long as the egg whites are solid. 

Pasteurization: The safest way to eat raw and undercooked eggs
 
If you want to make a recipe that calls for raw eggs. look for pasteurized eggs in the shell, which you can find with other eggs in the grocery section. In 2010, the Chicago Tribune compared pasteurized eggs to unpasteurized eggs. They found that egg whites from the pasteurized eggs didn’t form peaks
as well as unpasteurized eggs when scramble, but when it came to fried
eggs, the pasteurized eggs cooked well and tasted good.

Tips for Safe Handling of Raw Eggs

 Handling raw eggs starts with storing them safely, so store eggs in their original cartons in the best part of your refrigerator. Like other perishable foods, eggs should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours.

Since eggs sold in American grocery stores are washed before being sent to market, it is unlikely that there will be salmonella on the outside of the eggs, but you still need to follow safety precautions when using eggs. This means washing your hands before handling eggs and cleaning all areas touched by fresh eggs.  

Always check the cracked eggs at the store to make sure there are no cracked eggs, and if you find cracked eggs when you open the carton, throw it away. If the raw egg has touched other eggs in the carton, wash it and put it in a separate bag. And when you crack eggs, don’t put the eggs in the carton, even for a while. Don’t forget that you can freeze eggs if you can’t use them quickly.

 Conclusion

Anyone can get sick from eating Salmonella-contaminated eggs, but children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses are at risk of getting sick from eating raw and undercook eggs that are weak and should be avoided completely. The safest bet if you plan to eat eggs is to choose pre-cut eggs. And when you use eggs, pasteurized or not, follow good food safety practices and wash your hands before and after.

Watch video here: