To reduce the risk of cross-contamination and foodborne infections, registered dietician-nutritionists have urged Nigerians to desist from boiling unpeeled and unwashed eggs and rice together in the same pot.
The food experts explained that bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, may be present on eggshells and could contaminate the rice as the egg and rice cook together.
They noted that although boiling can destroy bacteria, because the water goes from a warm stage before reaching boiling point, it provides an opportunity for bacteria to survive and be transferred to the rice.
In exclusive interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the nutritionists noted that eggshells can crack during cooking, allowing parts of the egg to spill into the rice and alter its appearance, taste and odour.
While the nutritionists acknowledged that some people combine the foods to save cooking time and reduce gas consumption, they maintained that food safety should take priority because a foodborne infection could result in medical expenses, lost work time and reduced productivity.
The experts’ warning comes on the heels of a recent viral tweet on X, where netizens shared their experiences of food contamination after consuming a meal in which rice and egg were boiled together in the same pot.
Further online findings reveal that many Nigerians engage in these practices to save time, water, cooking utensils, and fuel.
