The nutrition experts explained that bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli may be present on eggshells and could be transferred to the rice while both foods cook together.
Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, a registered dietician-nutritionist and former Director of Nutrition Services and Health Education at the Osun State Primary Health Care Development Board, James Oloyede, said cooking eggs together with rice could expose the rice to bacteria found on eggshells, even when the eggs have been washed.
He explained that while boiling temperatures can destroy bacteria, the gradual rise in water temperature before it reaches boiling point could provide an opportunity for bacteria to survive and contaminate the rice.
“The challenge with rice is that absorption begins to take place the moment you put your rice in the water. When the water begins to warm up, we see the rice grain begin to swell. What makes it swell is the absorption of the water,” he said.
Oloyede added that if an eggshell carries Salmonella, the bacteria could be absorbed alongside the water as the rice cooks and potentially remain throughout the cooking process.
He also warned that eggshells could crack during cooking, allowing parts of the egg to spill into the rice and alter its appearance, taste and odour.
The dietician-nutritionist acknowledged that some Nigerians cook the two foods together to save time, cooking gas and other resources, particularly amid the rising cost of fuel.
However, he maintained that the potential health consequences of food contamination outweigh the benefits of saving cooking time or gas.
“Whatever we do, we must think of food safety first, because if there’s a cross-contamination, the cost of treating a food infection from Salmonella, then the time you waste in going to the hospital, then the time you will take off work and productivity, outweigh the cost of gas or the time you are trying to save by cooking both together,” he said.
Another registered dietician-nutritionist, Charles Oguikpe, also warned against cooking eggs in the same pot with rice, saying contaminants from eggshells could be transferred to the food.
According to him, contaminants such as Salmonella and E. coli can cause cross-contamination and may result in symptoms including stomach cramps, diarrhoea and fever, while severe infections can lead to complications.
Oguikpe said the contaminants could originate from poultry droppings and noted that washing eggshells may not completely eliminate the risk.
Both experts advised Nigerians to cook eggs and rice separately, with Oloyede describing separate cooking as the safest option for preventing possible cross-contamination.
Post a Comment