A meme is circulating asking whether anyone has ever fallen ill with salmonella because they eat raw cookie dough.
As the holiday season rolls in, the aroma of baking cookies fills the air in homes across the country. For many, the allure of raw cookie dough is irresistible. Whether it’s sneaking a spoonful while preparing holiday treats or enjoying store-bought edible cookie dough, the practice is widespread. But with the joy comes a cautionary tale: is it safe to indulge in raw cookie dough?
The Temptation of Raw Cookie Dough
During the festive period, baking cookies becomes a cherished tradition for families. Raw cookie dough, with its sweet, delightful taste, often tempts us even before the cookies make it into the oven. However, this indulgence is not without its risks.
The Danger of Salmonella
The primary concern with consuming raw cookie dough is the risk of Salmonella infection. Salmonella bacteria can reside in two key ingredients of cookie dough: raw eggs and uncooked flour.
- Raw Eggs: Traditionally, raw cookie dough contains uncooked eggs, which are known to potentially carry Salmonella. However, this risk can be mitigated with pasteurized eggs or by using eggless recipes.
- Uncooked Flour: Less commonly known, flour can also be a source of Salmonella. The flour used in baking isn’t typically treated to kill harmful bacteria since the cooking process is expected to do this. However, when consumed raw, this can lead to infection.
The 2023 Salmonella Outbreak
In 2023, a significant outbreak was linked specifically to Papa Murphy’s raw cookie dough. The outbreak, investigated by the CDC, public health officials in several states, and the FDA, involved Salmonella Enteritidis. It resulted in:
- 26 reported cases across 6 states.
- Illnesses starting from February 24 to May 28, 2023.
- 4 hospitalizations but no reported deaths.
This incident underscores the real, albeit rare, risk associated with consuming factory-made raw cookie dough. The actual number of affected individuals might have been higher due to underreporting, as many people recover from Salmonella without seeking medical attention.
Risk Factors:
- Homemade vs. Factory-Made: The risk of getting sick from homemade raw cookie dough is harder to quantify due to varying home practices, but it’s known that both homemade and commercial products can harbor Salmonella. In terms of percentage, there isn’t specific data comparing homemade to factory-made dough in outbreaks, but the 2023 outbreak from Papa Murphy’s provides insight into the potential risks with commercially prepared dough.
- Prevalence of Consumption: A significant portion of the population admits to eating raw cookie dough. While exact figures on the percentage of people eating raw cookie dough are not readily available, anecdotal evidence and surveys suggest it’s a common practice, especially during holiday baking.
Safe Practices for Cookie Dough Lovers
- Edible Cookie Dough: Many brands now offer cookie dough explicitly made to be eaten raw, using heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs or no eggs at all.
- Heat-Treating Flour: If you’re making dough at home, you can heat-treat your flour in the oven to kill potential bacteria before mixing it into the dough.
- Avoid Raw Eggs: Opt for recipes that don’t use raw eggs or use pasteurized eggs.
Conclusion
While the joy of raw cookie dough is undeniable, especially during holiday baking, awareness of the potential health risks is crucial. The 2023 outbreak linked to Papa Murphy’s serves as a stark reminder that even commercially prepared dough can be hazardous if consumed raw. To enjoy the holiday season safely, consider safer alternatives like pre-made edible cookie dough or take precautions with homemade batches.
Remember, the warmth of the holidays can be savored best with both health and happiness in mind.
Salmonella cases in 2023-24
There have been multiple salmonella outbreaks in 2023 and 2024, including:
- Cucumbers As of December 17, 2024, 100 people in 23 states have been infected with Salmonella Typhimurium from cucumbers. The FDA is working with companies to determine if more recalls are needed.
- Eggs As of September 6, 2024, 65 people in nine states have been infected with Salmonella from eggs. The FDA traced the outbreak to Milo’s Poultry Farms, which voluntarily recalled all of its eggs.
- Flour In April 2023, the FDA, CDC, and state and local partners investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Infantis from recalled flour. The CDC announced the outbreak was over on June 7, 2023.
- Ground beef In July 2023, 11 people in New Jersey were among those sickened in a ground beef outbreak.
- Pet bearded dragons In June 2024, there was a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to pet bearded dragons.
- Backyard poultry In May 2024, the CDC is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry.
This article was human written with fact checking, and bullet-point facts assisted by AI.