# How much do you worry about eating raw egg? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 29, 2019, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263 "2019-06-29T15:35:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/1 "2019-06-29T15:35:53Z")
Personally, not one bit. I love raw cookie dough, I lick off the spatula after mixing up a cake, I eat dip in eggs, I like my scrambled eggs on the really moist almost runny side. I’m well into my sixties, and have never had a case of ‘stomach flu’ or food poisoning or whatever that seemed linked to having recently eaten raw egg. And yet … there are constant PSAs about the dangers of salmonella from raw eggs. Are the dangers totally overblown? Or have I just been extremely lucky all my life? Do YOU worry about eating some raw egg? Would you worry about letting your child eat some? I’ve never had children, so I can’t say for sure, but it seems to me that the child who never got to clean out a mixing bowl or lick the beaters, well, in a tiny way he’s been deprived. And, of course, things are different if you have an autoimmune deficiency or are super ill or something. But if you’re a normal relatively healthy person? ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/2 "2019-06-29T16:22:19Z")
I don’t worry much about it but if I do eat anything with raw egg in it I tell myself to remember when it was in case I get pukey or anything in near future. In the years I’ve been doing that it hasn’t happened once, but I don’t eat much raw egg either. Though I do make a habit of always washing my hands after handling eggs. Don’t know if insides or outsides are what I should be more paranoid about, but I typically eat very little of the outside. This all gets me wanting to make some cookie dough. And possibly some cookies. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/3 "2019-06-29T16:28:48Z")
It’s not appetizing but nothing to worry about. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/4 "2019-06-29T16:34:48Z")
No worries. Sometimes the white of my poached egg isn’t fully cooked. I just mix it in with the hashbrowns. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/5 "2019-06-29T17:32:01Z")
i don’t worry about it at all. I also enjoy pizza that’s been left on the countertop overnight, like my burgers medium rare, and generally feel that the “smell test” is all I need to know if those leftovers in the back of the fridge are still good to eat. I understand why the “rules” are what they are, and certainly people who are ‘high risk’ probably need to take more care than I do, but I think that for a healthy person, the danger is pretty darn low. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/6 "2019-06-29T17:40:50Z")
I avoided raw eggs while pregnant, but not in everyday life. US commercial eggs are washed before sale, unlike many other countries, which leaves the shell slightly pervious. Lots more detail here: [Why American Eggs Would Be Illegal In A British Supermarket, And Vice Versa](https://www.forbes.com/sites/nadiaarumugam/2012/10/25/why-american-eggs-would-be-illegal-in-a-british-supermarket-and-vice-versa/#1f2a9634050f) ---
**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/7 "2019-06-29T17:58:48Z")
I don’t worry at all. In fact this thread has me thinking about how wonderful it would be to whip up a cake batter and drink it like a milkshake. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2019, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/8 "2019-06-29T18:14:14Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > i don’t worry about it at all. I also enjoy pizza that’s been left on the countertop overnight, like my burgers medium rare, and generally feel that the “smell test” is all I need to know if those leftovers in the back of the fridge are still good to eat. > > I understand why the “rules” are what they are, and certainly people who are ‘high risk’ probably need to take more care than I do, but I think that for a healthy person, the danger is pretty darn low. This is m approach. I applied the brakes a bit more when the children were very small and the consequences possibly more serious, but I don’t worry much about it now. Side conversation - convincing my parents that slightly pink pork is safe to eat. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/9 "2019-06-30T04:35:24Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > i don’t worry about it at all. I also enjoy pizza that’s been left on the countertop overnight, like my burgers medium rare, and generally feel that the “smell test” is all I need to know if those leftovers in the back of the fridge are still good to eat. This. And I’ve also been known to eat leftover soup or salad that’s been sitting out (covered) overnight. And when I’m preparing ground beef for burgers or meatloaf, I always taste some raw. I’m 73, and nothing has killed me yet. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/10 "2019-06-30T05:07:19Z")
I do not like raw foods. Don’t go by me, I’m a bit germaphobic. I use eggs my chickens lay. I wash them thoroughly before refrigerating. Never eat raw eggs, ever. ---
**Author:** ![LaughingSnowman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/laughingsnowman/32/422_2.png) [@LaughingSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LaughingSnowman)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/11 "2019-06-30T07:20:32Z")
Not very much. If see some yummy brownie or cake mix left over I’m eating it. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/12 "2019-06-30T07:39:53Z")
Backyard chickens. Now in full production laying pretty much 6 days a week. I don’t go full [paul neuman](https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=paul+nuewman+raw+egg+beer&view=detail&mid=BF0B052F24818D4E9C89BF0B052F24818D4E9C89&FORM=VIRE)but maybe, just maybe, I should try a homebrew with a backyard chicken egg and call in brunch tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Katakuri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Katakuri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katakuri)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/13 "2019-06-30T08:35:13Z")
I’ve never eaten a raw egg. I’m very sensitive about poultry, I can lose my appetite by the mere smell of a chicken. Don’t get me wrong, I still consume it. On the other hand, I loved eating raw lamb liver right after slaughter, but stopped doing that after my mom got Brucellosis one year. ---
**Author:** ![Art\_Rock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/art_rock/32/525_2.png) [@Art\_Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Art_Rock)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/14 "2019-06-30T09:33:44Z")
In the early sixties when I visited my grandparents they always gave me two raw eggs stirred with sugar as a treat. I’m still alive. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/15 "2019-06-30T13:52:56Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I’m 73, and nothing has killed me yet. Of course, all of us on this side are a biased sample: the ones who ate raw egg and got something horrible are dead and not posting. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/16 "2019-06-30T14:33:38Z")
While I would never drink raw eggs I’m not opposed to tasting brownie batter. I also eat raw bacon occasionally, thin sliced stuff. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/17 "2019-06-30T14:41:28Z")
We eat raw egg all the time from our own hens. An egg added to a smoothie creates a wonderful texture. Then again steak tartare, carpaccio, ceviche, mett, and sushi are all favorite foods. However, last year I tried some chicken sashimi and I was underwhelmed. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/18 "2019-06-30T16:30:35Z")
I’ll happily eat raw batter and undercooked eggs, but I’m fully aware that a significant percentage of raw eggs contain salmonella, including those from backyard chickens. Never gotten sick yet, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it happened. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/19 "2019-06-30T16:31:36Z")
I’ll happily eat raw batter and undercooked eggs, but I’m fully aware that a significant percentage of raw eggs contain salmonella, including those from backyard hens. Never gotten sick yet, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it happened. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263/20 "2019-07-01T03:27:48Z")
Rocky Balboa seemed to enjoy them. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-worry-about-eating-raw-egg/836263.md?page=2)