Can I eat raw cookie dough when pregnant?
Quick Answer
No
Eating raw cookie dough when pregnant is not recommended due to the risk of foodborne illnesses like salmonella and listeria, which can be harmful to both the mother and the unborn baby.
What Is It?
Raw cookie dough is a mixture of ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter that has not been baked.
Why It Can Be Risky
There are several risks associated with consuming raw cookie dough during pregnancy:
- Salmonella infection: Raw eggs in the dough can contain salmonella bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.
- Listeria infection: Raw flour can contain listeria bacteria, which can lead to a severe infection and potentially harm the fetus.
- E. coli infection: Raw flour can also contain E. coli bacteria, which can cause severe illness.
Safe Method?
The safest way to consume cookie dough during pregnancy is to ensure it is made with heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs, or to simply bake the cookies.
Safe Alternatives
- Edible cookie dough: This is made without eggs and with heat-treated flour to eliminate bacteria.
- Baked cookies: Fully baking the cookies kills any potential bacteria.