I have always heard that raw eggs are bad to eat/drink because of salmonella. Is this really true? Is it likely that the egg will have salmonella?

I have always wanted to try raw eggs but my mom says, "No they have salmonella.", so come on MythBusters I need some help!

I grew up drinking eggnog, made with raw eggs. however, salmonella is more prevalent now than it was then. if you really want to taste raw eggs, there are pasteurized egg products available in the supermarket that give you the raw egg experience without the salmonella risk.

quote:

Originally posted by thelightworks:
I grew up drinking eggnog, made with raw eggs. however, salmonella is more prevalent now than it was then. if you really want to taste raw eggs, there are pasteurized egg products available in the supermarket that give you the raw egg experience without the salmonella risk.

Is that ultra pasteurized (irradiated) egg products? I've never seen any myself, though it makes sense, and heat pasteurization would cook them.

OP, your mom is right. Eggs can contain salmonella, and it's not fun to get a case of food poisoning.

Raw cookie dough has the same problem.

It is possible to eat raw eggs, but I wouldn't do it myself. Food poisoning can be a very unpleasant experience that is best avoided.

From the American Egg Board:
"2. How safe are eggs?
The risk of getting a foodborne illness from eggs is very low.... Salmonella enteritidis (Se) has been found inside a small number of eggs. Scientists estimate that, on average across the U.S., only 1 of every 20,000 eggs might contain the bacteria. So, the likelihood that an egg might contain Se is extremely small – 0.005% (five one-thousandths of one percent). At this rate, if you’re an average consumer, you might encounter a contaminated egg once every 84 years."

Quite a few athletes in training consume raw eggs for the protein. I used to while in the Army and never got food poisoning. The movie "Rocky" made it very popular.

Steak Tartare is raw chopped meat and people still consume it in spite of the risk from E. coli.
Possible? Yes. Likely, No.