Our U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued an order that most Americans will find impossible to follow: stop eating raw cookie dough.
The USDA stated in its recent bulletin, “Avoid raw or partially cooked eggs or foods containing raw eggs, such as cookie dough.”
Following their recommendation and kicking this habit is going to have a major impact on millions of lives. Just think about it; have you been in the kitchen, baking cookies and invited your kids to scoop the batter out of the bowl? Maybe you are one of those who enjoys eating pre-packaged cookie dough? Or, are one of those people who eats cookie dough found in ice cream?
If you are going to use raw eggs in your recipes, you need to take special care. The high temperatures required to bake cakes and cookies are sufficient to kill bacteria. However, the USDA tells us that the raw eggs in cookie dough may present a hazard to children, the elderly and those with certain health problems – uncooked cookie dough is not safe to eat.
You should only buy eggs sold from a refrigerated case. Inspect the eggs and make sure they are clean and the shells are not cracked. Refrigerate eggs promptly and place the carton in the coldest part of you refrigerator – not in the door where temperatures may fluctuate. Store your eggs in their original carton and use them within three weeks for best quality.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimates that 142,000 people become ill each year by consuming eggs contaminated with Salmonella. Knowing how to buy, store, handle and cooks eggs is key.
Well, I’m getting hungry with all this food talk. I’m going to get myself some cookie dough ice cream or maybe a smoothie with a raw egg sounds better. Oh, wait! I’m suppose to be kicking this habit. This is going to be a tougher than I thought.
