Nutritionists have warned Nigerians against the common practice of boiling eggs together with rice, saying it can lead to cross‑contamination from bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present on eggshells.
The habit of cooking eggs and rice in the same pot is popular in many households as a time‑saving method, but experts say it creates a direct pathway for pathogens on the shell to mix with the rice, which is often eaten without further cooking.
Salmonella is a leading cause of food‑borne illness and can survive on the outer surface of eggs. When eggs are boiled with rice, any bacteria that escape the shell’s protective barrier can contaminate the rice, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal infection.
Health professionals recommend cooking eggs and rice separately, washing hands and utensils after handling raw eggs, and ensuring that rice is cooked thoroughly at a high temperature. They also advise consumers to purchase eggs from reputable sources and to store them properly to minimise bacterial growth.
Food safety remains a critical public‑health issue in Nigeria, where outbreaks of salmonellosis and other food‑borne diseases have been reported. Following the experts’ guidance on separate cooking and proper hygiene can help reduce the incidence of such illnesses.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>