Book 9, Question 138
Why Be Careful with Raw Cookie Dough?
We are careful with raw cookie dough because raw flour and raw eggs can carry germs! Baking kills these germs when the cookies are cooked all the way through, so ask a grown-up before tasting any dough. Edible no-bake dough is made with heat-treated flour and no raw eggs.
More fun facts
- The US Food and Drug Administration says not to eat raw dough or batter, even if it has no eggs.
- Raw flour can carry harmful bacteria.
- Cooking or baking the flour kills any bacteria that could cause infections.
- Earlier warnings about raw dough were about raw eggs, which can carry Salmonella.
- Experts say not to give children play dough made with raw flour.
- Wash your hands, work surfaces and utensils well after touching flour or raw dough.
Sources: Smithsonian Magazine, BBC
Questions kids ask
Is flour raw?
Yes. Flour is a raw farm product and has not been cooked to kill germs.