Why is it ok to drink raw eggs in homemade eggnog?

Question

There's always this fear of salmonella where raw eggs are concerned but it never seems to come up with eggnog. Why?

Answer 1

If you're using eggs purchased commercially in the USA, then the risk is fairly minimal...but there IS still a risk. Eggs in the USA are washed and heat-treated before they go to market, so the possibility of salmonella is reduced. But the risk remains, especially as time passes (surface salmonella can multiply). And any eggs bought from a farmer's market (or fresh off a farm) carry a much higher risk.

There are 2 ways to completely eliminate salmonella risk when making homemade eggnog (or other raw-egg products). One is to use pasteurized eggs (sold in little milk cartons), and the other is to semi-cook (temper) your own fresh eggs. Basically, what you do is heat up the milk/cream for the eggnog, and carefully mix it with the raw eggs...it has to be done carefully, or the hot liquid will scramble the eggs. Then the milk/egg mixture is made into the eggnog.

Answer 2

There is still a risk of salmonella, but you can reduce the risk by following precautionary measures:

Turn the fridge down to 33F the day before or the morning of preparation. Buy the eggs that day; make sure they are cold; and wash them with cold water and soap immediately when you bring them home. Refrigerate the egg whites right away after separating the eggs and keep them chilled until use. These procedures will not eliminate or minimize salmonella risk, but will lessen it to some degree.

Commercially manufactured ice cream and eggnog are made with pasteurized eggs and have not been linked with Salmonella infections.

That bit about the alcohol killing the bacteria is a myth, by the way. There isn't enough pure alcohol in eggnog to kill anything.

Answer 3

The fear does come up with eggnog. The theory is that the alcohol kills any bacteria. To an extent, it does. It is best to use pasteurized eggs or egg products (in the dairy section of your grocery) as all bacteria should have been destroyed.

Answer 4

Technically, the alcohol in the eggnog cooks the eggs. I still wouldn't drink eggnog though because there is a huge possibility that the alcohol won't kill all the bacteria. Plus eggnog is gross anyway.

Answer 5

The alcohol takes care of the bacteria, but if you're still worried you shouldn't be. The way today's eggs are cared for and processed you have almost no chance of getting salmonella from an infected egg. You really have a better chance of getting struck by lightning.

Answer 6

Because they are pasteurized eggs this is why it is okay to drink raw eggs in eggnog

Answer 7

In reality we're advised not to eat raw egg yolks period. Although the "authorities" have not said egg nog, they did not point out tomato juice and egg, or health drinks with raw egg and more. The news reports added examples to explain what was meant by raw eggs, which "over easy" and "soft boiled" is the most common. Personally I eat raw eggs, raw milk, and I don't put alcohol in my egg nog (I have it for breakfast when in a hurry), and trans fats. I refuse to be afraid to live and enjoy life.

Answer 8

you have to have an infected egg to get salmonella, so hopefully you use good eggs in eggnog.

Answer 9

The booze in the eggnog kills the bacteria.

Answer 10

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