Half boiled eggs are delicious. However, undercooked eggs are susceptible to bacterial contamination Salmonella which can cause food poisoning and other health problems. Know what are the dangers of undercooked eggs and how to eat them safely.
Bacterial infection Salmonella usually caused by consumption of raw or undercooked food, including undercooked eggs. These bacteria can be found on the outside (shell) or inside the egg and do not change the shape, smell, or even taste of the egg.
However, these bacteria can be killed if you cook eggs or other protein sources thoroughly. Eggs that are still half-cooked or immature can be seen from the liquid yolk structure.
Bacteria Danger Salmonella in Half Boiled Egg
A person infected with bacteria Salmonella As a result of consuming undercooked eggs, you can experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, headaches, stomach cramps, and bloody bowel movements. These symptoms can last 4-7 days and can even reach 10 days if accompanied by diarrhea.
Bacterial infection Salmonella can also cause typhoid fever or typhus and lead to death if not treated promptly.
In addition, there are several groups that are prone to serious health problems when infected with bacteria Salmonella in undercooked eggs, such as pregnant women, infants and toddlers, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
If some people can recover in a short time, some of the above vulnerable groups will recover longer and have more severe symptoms when infected with bacteria Salmonella from undercooked eggs or other undercooked foods.
How to Prevent Bacterial Infections Salmonella from Half Boiled Egg
Bacterial infection Salmonella can actually be prevented by vaccinating chickens, so it is still safe even if you eat half-cooked eggs. However, as long as it is not certain whether the chicken from the egg has been vaccinated, you are advised to cook the eggs until they are cooked.
Besides being processed yourself, half-boiled eggs are also found in many ready-to-eat products, such as mayonnaise, tiramisu, ice cream, and salad dressing.
If you want to make a meal based on undercooked eggs, try to use pasteurized eggs available in supermarkets, because heating eggs with the pasteurization process can kill bacteria. Salmonella on the egg.
In addition to cooking eggs until they are completely cooked, there are also several ways you can do to avoid bacterial infections Salmonella, that is:
- Immediately consume foods that contain eggs or store them in the refrigerator. Avoid storing eggs or foods containing eggs at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Fry the eggs evenly on both sides or boil the eggs for at least 7 minutes in boiling water.
- Make sure not to store eggs for more than 28 days.
- Place eggs separately from other foods in the refrigerator.
- Avoid buying and processing eggs with cracked shells.
- Avoid storing boiled eggs in the refrigerator for more than 3 days.
- Wash your hands before and after handling eggs to avoid spreading bacteria.
- Clean the utensils for cooking eggs with warm water.
- Keep kitchen surfaces clean by spraying antibacterial liquid or hot water after processing eggs.
- Be sure to choose eggs that are labeled pasteurized if you want to enjoy half-boiled eggs.
Not a few people who like the consumption of half-boiled eggs. However, eating cooked eggs is recommended to prevent bacterial infections Salmonella that can happen. To be on the safe side, you can process eggs by boiling without salt or scrambled without butter.
Avoid frying eggs in an oil bath because it will increase the fat content which can trigger an increase in blood cholesterol levels.
If you experience symptoms of food poisoning after eating undercooked eggs as mentioned above, contact your doctor immediately for treatment.
