[Editor’s Note: This post is part of a series designed to help people avoid foodborne illness during the holidays. You can find other posts in the series – on everything from fruitcake to roasting a turkey – here.]
Eggnog is a holiday treat, but it contains – surprise! – eggs. So how come it’s okay for us to drink it? Here are a few questions and answers about eggnog and food safety.
If eggnog has eggs in it, and eggs can carry Salmonella, why is it safe to drink eggnog? The eggs aren’t cooked, are they?
Actually, they are.
“If you’re buying eggnog at the store, the beverage has likely been pasteurized,” says Ben Chapman, a food safety expert and researcher at NCState. “That means the egg-and-milk combination has been heat-treated to kill most of the harmful microorganisms that could make you sick, and reduce the ones that cause spoilage as well.”
Is it safe for me to make my own eggnog?
“Using regular eggs is risky, but you could use pasteurized eggs or egg products,” Chapman says. “Or you could effectively pasteurize your own eggs by slowly bringing the eggnog ‘base’ to 160 °F. The FDA offers advice on how to do that safely.”
Can I use alcohol to make my eggnog safe to drink, or to store at room temperature?
Only if you like really strong eggnog.
“Ethanol, the alcohol in beverages, should kill some of the pathogens that might be there,” Chapman says. “But the eggnog would still be subject to spoiling, as other hearty microorganisms can multiply and create off flavors.”
Chapman says that using alcohol as a protective measure isn’t a simple venture. Although wine and other clear alcoholic beverages haven’t been linked to foodborne illnesses, a 2010 investigation into exactly what components were protective in wine showed that ethanol on its own wasn’t enough.
Chapman says that in that particular experiment, ethanol provided a 1.5 log (that’s between 90 and 99 percent) reduction in Salmonella in 24 hours. That’s not good if you’re looking to make and serve eggnog, particularly since no reduction in pathogens was seen within the first 60 minutes after adding alcohol. “The cream also complicates things in eggnog as it has fat in it – and high fat environments like peanut butter and chocolate serve to protect Salmonella cells,” Chapman says.
What’s the deal with ‘aged’ eggnog?
You may be familiar with stories that have made the rounds about “aged” eggnog, and how it’s safe to drink eggnog containing raw eggs if you let it hang around for a few weeks. Many of these stories trace back to an experiment done at Rockefeller University (you can hear Science Friday’s 2008 story on it here). There are (at least) two things worth noting about the Rockefeller eggnog.
First, based on the recipe that accompanies that story, and some quick back-of-the-envelope calculations, the eggnog in question was ~14 percent alcohol – which may be high compared to many festive drinks. Second, the eggnog was refrigerated during the aging process. The cold temperature helps to limit microorganism growth and the hold time allows for the ethanol to penetrate and to act on the cells.
Chapman notes one other issue with the Rockefeller University data – it’s anecdotal. “Although it has made the rounds in the media as an answer to the holiday party drink favorite, the study hasn’t been evaluated by peer review.” Chapman goes on to say, “While it appears this specific recipe might work, we also don’t know what the threshold for alcohol content and egg/milk ratios would lead to similar Salmonella destruction. For example, whether an eggnog with 9 percent alcohol held in the fridge for one week would be safe.”
Side note: Thirsty for more? NCState extension associate Katrina Levine has written elsewhere about raw eggs in alcoholic co*cktails.
FAQs
You can ensure that you and your guests are sipping safely, though, Rogers says. Almost all the eggnog sold in stores is pasteurized, which kills bacteria, but he says to be sure to check that the carton or bottle is clearly labeled as such. If you make your own, use pasteurized liquid eggs, which are sold in a carton.
What are the chances of getting Salmonella from eggnog? ›
“The most recent estimates indicate that about three out of every 10,000 eggs is positive for salmonella,” Schaffner said. “This means the risk from any individual egg is low, but of course the more eggs you combine, the higher the risk.” Pasteurization is one of the keys to avoiding salmonella poisoning from eggnog.
Why is there egg in eggnog? ›
Originally a drink for elites that demanded expensive ingredients like eggs and cream, eggnog evolved from a drink called posset. The British hot drink was made of milk curdled with alcohol, such as wine or ale. During the Middle Ages, posset was common enough to be mentioned in both “Hamlet” and “Macbeth.”
How do they pasteurize eggs? ›
Information. Pasteurized shell eggs are heated in warm water baths using controlled time and temperature, to destroy any bacteria that might be present, but the process does not cook the eggs. Any process used for eggs in shell pasteurization has to be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Why can you eat mayo but not raw eggs? ›
The United States Department of Agriculture does not recommend eating raw shell eggs that are not cooked or undercooked due to the possibility that Salmonella bacteria may be present. However, homemade mayonnaise can be safely made if raw, in-shell pasteurized eggs or pasteurized egg products are used.
Is it safe to drink eggnog with raw eggs? ›
If a recipe calls for folding raw, beaten egg whites into the eggnog, use pasteurized eggs. It has not been proven that raw egg whites are free of Salmonella bacteria. If you purchase eggnog from your local grocery store, the eggnog has been prepared with pasteurized eggs. You do not need to cook it.
Why doesn't eggnog make you sick? ›
Most commercially available eggnogs are pasteurized, so the risk of falling ill from uncooked eggs is pretty minimal. They have been cooked and held at 160 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that foodborne illnesses, such as salmonella, E. coli, listeria and campylobacter, are no longer present.
Why do they stop selling eggnog? ›
Most plants keep producing eggnog through New Year's, and start dumping their unsold product in January. Although associated with the holidays, eggnog doesn't need to be seasonal. Dairy plants could produce small batches of eggnog off-season for hard-core nogheads, but they don't because it's not cost-effective.
Can kids drink eggnog? ›
When can babies have eggnog? After 12 months of age, if the eggnog is pasteurized and free of alcohol. While we generally recommend waiting until age 2 to introduce sugar into a toddler's diet, a small taste of pasteurized, alcohol-free eggnog on a special occasion after a child's first birthday is just fine.
What is eggnog made of without eggs? ›
Blend 2 cups milk, sugar, pudding mix, rum-flavored extract, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger in a blender on medium-high speed until smooth; pour into a pitcher. Stir remaining 3 cups milk into mixture. Refrigerate eggnog until thickened, at least 1 hour. Stir well before serving.
Consuming raw eggs puts you at risk for contracting salmonellosis, a foodborne illness from Salmonella bacteria that can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Salmonella can be on the outside of an eggshell but also inside the egg itself.
Does pasteurizing eggs remove Salmonella? ›
For recipes that call for eggs that are raw or undercooked when the dish is served — like Caesar salad dressing and homemade ice cream — use either shell eggs that have been treated to destroy Salmonella, by pasteurization or another approved method, or pasteurized egg products.
Are all eggs in the US pasteurized? ›
Are All Eggs Pasteurized? According to the USDA, all egg products (egg contents that have been removed from their shells, such as egg whites) are pasteurized, but not all eggs inside their shell are pasteurized. In fact, only less than 3% of shell eggs are pasteurized in the US.
Does lemon juice make raw eggs safe? ›
Benjamin Chapman, a food safety expert with N.C. State University agreed that the acidity in the lemon juice might not affect salmonella if it is already present in the egg.
Is Hellman's mayo made with pasteurized eggs? ›
We want to reassure you that Unilever follow strict quality and food safety procedures and in addition to that the eggs used in Hellmann's mayonnaise have been pasteurised to ensure a safe and tasty mayonnaise.
Why doesn't mayo give you Salmonella? ›
People often think mayonnaise is the cause of foodborne illness from chilled foods such as chicken, tuna and egg salad or when spread on bread with luncheon meats in a sandwich. However, because mayonnaise is made with acid (vinegar or lemon juice), it tends to prevent bacterial growth.
Can you get E. coli from eggnog? ›
He warns that the most concerning issues with eggnog come from the milk and cream. “The risks from raw dairy are more well established,” Schaffner said, adding that they can also lead to other bacteria including listeria, e. coli and campylobacter. “Don't count on alcohol to kill the bacteria,” declared James E.
How long is eggnog safe to drink? ›
The Food and Drug Administration suggests consuming commercial eggnog within three to five days of opening a carton, and you should drink homemade eggnog within two to four days of making. If you're unsure whether eggnog has gone off, give it a whiff, and check for these signs: lumpy texture. spoiled milk smell.
What drink kills Salmonella? ›
Washington, D.C.—Tomato juice can kill Salmonella Typhi and other bacteria that can harm people's digestive and urinary tract health, according to research published this week in Microbiology Spectrum, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.
Are you at risk for Salmonella from egg yolk? ›
Undercooked egg whites and yolks have been associated with outbreaks of Salmonella infections. Both should be consumed promptly and not be kept warm or at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
