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Whatever your culinary abilities, cooking is as much about bringing the flavors together as it is about making sure your food is safe to eat. But while they know the dangers of eating raw or undercooked foods, it’s not uncommon for people to try out their recipe while they’re preparing their meal. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has just warned that there is one food in particular that you shouldn’t be eating right now to avoid potentially serious illness. Read on to see what you might want to get out of your pantry.
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On July 28, the CDC announced that it was investigating a possible link between an outbreak of E. coli and the raw cake mix, warning people not to eat or taste the ingredient until it is baked. The agency said it is currently collecting data with help from local public health officials and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine the source of the bacterial contamination.
The agency clarified that people should only consume both store-bought and homemade cake mixes after they have spent sufficient time in the oven. “Eating raw cake batter can make you sick,” the CDC said. “Raw cake dough may contain harmful bacteria. Bacteria are only killed when the raw dough is baked or baked. “
According to the CDC investigation, 16 people had been sickened by E. coli in 12 states as of July 27, including Massachusetts, Virginia, South Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, Oregon and Washington . Interviews with eight of the patients found that six of them reported eating or tasting raw cake mix in the week before their illness, but also reported different varieties and brands.
So far, all known patients have been female, aged 2 to 73, with a median age of 13 years. The CDC reports that seven of those infected have been hospitalized due to the severity of their condition. And although no deaths were reported, one of them developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
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Although it is often overlooked as a potentially dangerous ingredient, raw flour can contain E. coli bacteria that can cause severe food poisoning if eaten. According to the CDC, symptoms are different for each person, but can include severe stomach cramps, vomiting, often bloody diarrhea, and rarely a mild fever around 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Typically, the disease will go away after five to seven days.
The agency says most people infected with E. coli start to feel sick three to four days after ingesting something contaminated, but symptoms may start between one and 10 days after exposure. The CDC recommends that anyone with diarrhea that lasts longer than three days, diarrhea with a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, bloody diarrhea, or so much vomiting that you cannot hold back fluids seek immediate medical attention.
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While the cake mix investigation is ongoing, the CDC is taking the opportunity to also urge the public on the dangers of eating raw or undercooked dough of any kind. The agency’s Say No to Raw Dough food security initiative highlights two outbreaks of E. coli in 2016 and 2019, more than 80 people were sick. They also warn that raw or undercooked eggs may contain Salmonella, another harmful bacteria that can cause serious food poisoning if eaten.
To avoid getting sick, the CDC recommends that you do not “taste or eat any dough or raw dough, whether for cookies, tortillas, pizzas, cookies, pancakes or crafts, made from raw flour, such as homemade play dough or holiday decorations, “as well as not letting children play with or eat homemade play dough. The agency also says to avoid using raw flour in any recipes such as smoothies or milkshakes, washing hands and all surfaces after handling raw flour or dough, and follow all package directions and recipes to ensure you are cooking at the correct temperature for the specified amount of time.
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