What will happen if you eat too much cookie dough?

1. Salmonella Risk:

* Flour: Most flour is not treated to kill bacteria like Salmonella. This is especially a concern with raw cookie dough as flour is often a major ingredient.

* Eggs: Raw eggs can also carry Salmonella, although commercially produced eggs in the U.S. are usually pasteurized to reduce the risk.

2. Other Potential Risks:

* Raw Flour: Raw flour can also contain other bacteria like E. coli.

* Raw Eggs: Aside from Salmonella, raw eggs can contain other pathogens like Listeria and Campylobacter.

* Dairy Products: Unpasteurized dairy products, like milk, can carry bacteria like Listeria.

3. Symptoms:

* Food poisoning: Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. These usually appear within 12-72 hours of consuming contaminated food.

4. Who's at Risk?

* Pregnant women: Pregnant women are especially vulnerable to foodborne illnesses and should avoid eating raw cookie dough.

* Young children: Children are also at higher risk due to their developing immune systems.

* Older adults: Seniors may have a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to infections.

* People with compromised immune systems: Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV or undergoing chemotherapy, should also exercise caution.

Safe Ways to Enjoy Cookie Dough:

* Use pasteurized eggs: If you're concerned about raw eggs, use pasteurized eggs, which have been heated to kill bacteria.

* Heat-treated flour: You can purchase pre-heat-treated flour, which is safe to eat raw.

* No-Bake Cookie Dough: There are several recipes for edible cookie dough that omit raw flour and eggs.

* Bake it! Of course, the safest way to enjoy cookie dough is to bake it into cookies.

It's important to remember:

* Even with careful preparation, there's still a small risk of foodborne illness from eating raw cookie dough.

* Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw ingredients.

* If you experience any symptoms of food poisoning, seek medical attention.