Raw Cookie Dough — Is It Safe to Eat?

Two risky ingredients, not one

The risk comes from two ingredients: raw flour and raw eggs.

Why raw flour is risky

Flour does not look like a raw food, but most flour is raw. It has not been treated to kill germs that cause food poisoning, such as E. coli and Salmonella.

Germs can contaminate the grain while it is still in the field, or the flour while it is being made.

Steps like grinding grain and bleaching flour do not kill harmful germs. Germs are killed only when flour is baked or cooked.

Why raw eggs are risky

Raw and lightly cooked eggs can contain Salmonella.

This has caused real outbreaks

The CDC investigated outbreaks linked to raw flour or cake mix in 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2023. Some led to recalls.

Flour and baking mixes have long shelf lives, so check your pantry for recalled products and throw recalled flour or baking mixes away. The CDC points to the FDA's recall list for this.

It is not just cookies

The warning covers dough or batter for:

• Cookies
• Brownies
• Cakes
• Pie crusts
• Tortillas
• Pizza
• Biscuits
• Pancakes

It also covers crafts made with raw flour, like homemade play dough or holiday ornaments. Do not let children play with or eat dough made with raw flour.

Ice cream and milkshakes

Do not add raw homemade cookie dough to ice cream, and do not use raw-flour products in milkshakes.

Cookie dough ice cream sold in stores contains dough that has been treated to kill harmful germs.

Safe handling while baking

• Bake raw dough and batter before eating. Follow the recipe or package directions for temperature and cooking time.
• Follow label directions to refrigerate products containing raw dough or eggs until they are baked or cooked.
• Keep raw foods such as flour and eggs separate from ready-to-eat foods. Flour is a powder and can spread easily.
• Wash hands with soap and water after handling flour, raw eggs, or raw dough.
• Wash bowls, utensils, and countertops with hot, soapy water.