Watch out for dangerous bacteria found in unbaked goods
The Holidays are filled with sweet treats and good things to eat. In this week's Health Report, Julie Swisher investigated some of the repercussions of sneaking a bite that just isn't ready quite yet. The holidays are a special time of year for many preparing delicious baked goods in the kitchen. Cookies, pies and breads are among some of the sweet and savory aromas that may fill the kitchen. When preparing mouthwatering homemade goodies, the temptation to try a bite of raw dough may be enticing. And while usually harmless, there can be side effects to tasting unbaked goods.
"You really want to be cautious when with that when you're making cookies. There is usually raw eggs involved, and whenever you consume raw eggs, you increase your risk of salmonella poisoning which is a food is borne illness," said Lindsey Malone, R.D.
In addition to salmonella, raw dough can contain bacteria such as E.coli. According to the Center for Disease Control, a large outbreak of E. coli in 2016 was found on raw flour effecting 24 states across the country. Malone gave a helpful tip for those who don't want to give up the dough.
"Those little energy bites, that they have recipes online for, that take dates or cashews, coconut, put it all in your food processor and then you can roll it in things like cinnamon or cocoa powder. And you get that same nice cookie dough texture, but you have something that has significantly more nutrient value," she said.
Malone says following label directions to know when to refrigerate raw food items can help to keep families safe. She also says, remember to thoroughly clean utensils and tools that may have touched any raw foods. Washing hands with soap and water before and after can also help to better protect people from harmful bacteria.