Do Not Eat Raw Cookie Dough – The CDC has issued a warning about eating raw cookie dough and warns consumers and cooks that any unbaked product can be unsafe.
Back in 2009, an E.coli outbreak prompted the CDC to investigate refrigerated Nestle Toll House cookie dough products. The findings of that investigation may change the way you snack while baking.
It was determined that E. coli and salmonella risks are high in any product that is made to be baked, even if it is homemade. The risks are not brand specific and scientists said that the E. coli outbreak that resulted when 77 people in 30 states became ill after eating the prepackaged cookie dough could have been avoided simply by following the directions on the package.
Even homemade cookie dough can be unhealthy to eat prior to baking and the risk is two-fold. Uncooked flour used in most recipes is the most likely culprit for E. coli. The flour has not gone through processes required to kill pathogens, though the makers of Nestle Toll House Cookie dough says it will change that for their products.
Another ingredient in unbaked dough is raw eggs which are a known cause of salmonella. The Don’t Eat It Raw rule applies to other foods, not just cookies – Bread dough, cake batter, pizza and biscuit dough.
As tempting as it may be to eat the batter or lick the beaters, take a pass and wait until it is cooked. Do Not Eat Raw Cookie Dough!
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