Eating raw cookie dough may seem like a tempting treat, especially when using delicious Nestle cookie dough. However, consuming unbaked cookie dough can be risky due to the raw eggs and potential for contamination with bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. Understanding the risks and how to enjoy cookie dough safely can help prevent unpleasant symptoms.
Can you get sick from eating raw Nestle cookie dough?
Yes, you can get sick from eating raw Nestle cookie dough. Here’s why:
- Raw eggs – Nestle cookie dough contains raw eggs, which may contain Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella can cause food poisoning with symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
- Flour – Raw flour may be contaminated with E. coli. In 2016, an E. coli outbreak was linked to raw flour, resulting in recalls.
- Other ingredients – Ingredients like chocolate chips and nuts could also be contaminated.
So if the raw dough contains any harmful bacteria, eating it unbaked allows those germs to survive and potentially make you sick. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for illness.
What are the symptoms of eating raw cookie dough?
Symptoms of illness from contaminated raw cookie dough can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
Symptoms tend to appear within 12-72 hours after eating the contaminated dough. Most cases resolve on their own, but Salmonella can occasionally lead to more serious conditions like reactive arthritis or endocarditis. Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe.
How long does it take to get sick after eating raw cookie dough?
You can get sick anywhere from 30 minutes to 72 hours after eating contaminated raw cookie dough. However, illness typically sets in about 12-36 hours after ingestion. Here is the estimated timeline:
- 30 minutes to 2 hours – First possible onset of symptoms like nausea and stomach cramps.
- 12-36 hours – Most common timeframe for illness to develop.
- 24-72 hours – Outward symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and fever usually appear.
Keep in mind this can vary based on factors like your health, the amount eaten, and the strain of bacteria. Some people may not get visibly ill at all but can still spread the infection.
Can you die from eating raw cookie dough?
Death from eating raw cookie dough is extremely rare. While food poisoning from cookie dough can make you miserable with unpleasant symptoms, it is not usually life-threatening in otherwise healthy individuals.
However, certain high-risk groups are more vulnerable to severe complications. This includes:
- Infants and young children
- Older adults
- Pregnant women
- Those with weakened immune systems
- Individuals with chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, etc.
In these populations, the dehydration and severe infection can occasionally become dangerous. Seek prompt medical treatment for these groups if cookie dough poisoning is suspected.
Overall, it is very uncommon for raw cookie dough to be fatal. But it’s still wise to avoid eating it raw, especially if you are higher risk.
How do you treat a raw cookie dough illness?
Most cases of food poisoning from raw cookie dough can be managed at home with symptomatic treatment. Recommendations include:
- Drinking lots of fluids – Replace lost fluids from vomiting and diarrhea to prevent dehydration.
- Resting – Allow your body to devote energy towards recovery.
- Eating bland foods – Avoid anything too heavy, spicy or greasy. Stick to the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
- Medications – Over-the-counter anti-diarrheals, pain relievers, and fever reducers can help manage symptoms. Use as directed.
Call your doctor if symptoms are severe or persist longer than a few days. Intravenous fluids or hospitalization may be needed for high-risk groups. Usually though, food poisoning runs its course within 3-7 days.
How long does a raw cookie dough illness last?
Illness from contaminated raw cookie dough generally resolves within 3-7 days. Here is the typical duration of symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting – 1 to 2 days
- Diarrhea – 3 to 5 days or more
- Abdominal cramps – 2 to 3 days
- Fever – 2 to 3 days
- Fatigue – May linger longer, up to 7 days
In healthy people, most symptoms fade after about 3 days. But fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, and loss of appetite can persist for up to a week until your digestive system fully recovers. See your doctor if you still have symptoms beyond 7-10 days.
Can you eat raw cookie dough when pregnant?
It is not recommended to eat raw cookie dough while pregnant. The risks are too high, as foodborne illness can lead to serious complications. Here’s why it should be avoided:
- Harming your baby – High fever from food poisoning raises the risk of birth defects or miscarriage.
- Dehydration – This makes it harder for your baby to get proper nutrients and oxygen.
- Listeria – This bacteria in cookie dough can be deadly for the fetus.
- Preterm labor – Vomiting and diarrhea may trigger early contractions.
While cravings can strike, resist sampling unbaked dough. Wait until you can enjoy fully cooked cookies instead. It is safer to avoid raw eggs, flour, and dough altogether during pregnancy.
What if I ate raw cookie dough while pregnant?
If you ate raw cookie dough while pregnant, monitor yourself closely for symptoms of food poisoning over the next 72 hours. Call your doctor right away if you develop fever, vomiting, diarrhea or other concerning signs. Prompt treatment is needed to protect your health and your developing baby.
With early support, the risks are lower. But avoid any additional raw dough to prevent further issues. Cookies and all dough should be fully baked to 165°F throughout your pregnancy for safety.
Can kids eat raw Nestle cookie dough?
It is not considered safe for kids to eat raw Nestle cookie dough. Children have a higher risk of food poisoning compared to healthy adults. Their immune systems are still developing. Here are the main risks raw dough poses to kids:
- Sensitive stomach – More prone to vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.
- Developing bodies – Illness can impair growth and nutrition needs.
- Susceptible to bacteria – Less ability to fight infections compared to adults.
- Kidney issues – E. coli can lead to kidney failure or long-term problems.
Any child that becomes ill after eating raw dough should be monitored closely. Seek medical care immediately for concerning symptoms. Overall, it is safest to only allow fully baked treats for kids.
What age can babies eat cookie dough?
Do not feed cookie dough to babies or children under the age of 2. A child’s immune system is still immature before this age. The choking hazard from chunks of dough poses another safety issue for little ones.
Wait until age 2 or older before introducing fully cooked cookie dough in small bites. Never serve raw dough or batter to young toddlers or infants due to the high risk of illness.
Should you let your dog eat raw Nestle cookie dough?
It is not recommended to let your dog eat raw Nestle cookie dough. Like humans, dogs can become sick from eating uncooked flour, eggs, or contaminated ingredients. Potential risks include:
- Salmonella – Dogs can get Salmonella poisoning from raw eggs.
- E. coli – Raw flour may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria.
- Gastrointestinal upset – Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
- Pancreatitis – High fat content can inflame the pancreas.
- Choking hazard – Large chunks may obstruct airways.
While many dogs may simply get an upset stomach, others can have a more severe reaction. It is best not to take the risk and keep all cookie dough out of reach of pets.
Can dogs have baked cookie dough?
Dogs should only have baked cookie dough made specifically for canine consumption. Look for dog-safe recipes using pet-friendly ingredients. Avoid feeding your dog regular baked chocolate chip cookies, as chocolate is toxic to dogs.
Monitor your dog closely for any digestive issues after introducing baked treats. Pieces should be broken into small bites to reduce choking hazards as well.
Is Nestle toll house cookie dough safe to eat raw?
No, Nestle Toll House cookie dough is not considered safe to eat raw. As with other raw cookie dough, the risks include:
- Salmonella – From raw eggs.
- E. coli – Potentially contaminated flour.
- Stomach flu – Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Nestle does use pasteurized eggs in their Toll House dough to reduce the chance of Salmonella. However, flour can still be a source of E. coli bacteria. It’s also challenging to control other sources of contamination throughout production and distribution.
The only foolproof way to enjoy Toll House cookie dough safely is to bake it until fully cooked through. This kills any potential pathogens present in the raw ingredients.
Has anyone died from eating raw Nestle cookie dough?
After extensive searching, there are no reported cases of someone dying directly due to consuming raw Nestle cookie dough. While it can certainly make you sick with uncomfortable symptoms, death from raw Nestle dough appears to be very rare or nonexistent.
However, Nestle dough should still never be eaten raw. There is always an inherent risk when consuming uncooked eggs and flour. While healthy adults may recover quickly, those who are more vulnerable to infection can develop serious complications.
It’s simply not worth taking the gamble with raw dough when baking it completely is so easy. Don’t take risks with your health for the sake of enjoying uncooked cookie dough.
Conclusions
Eating raw Nestle cookie dough is risky and not recommended. While the dough may seem temptingly delicious unbaked, it can contain harmful bacteria that lead to food poisoning. Symptoms usually develop within 12-72 hours and last for 3-7 days.
To enjoy Nestle cookie dough safely:
- Do not eat raw dough while pregnant or feeding to young children due to infection risks.
- Do not allow pets to consume raw dough.
- Always bake dough thoroughly until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Consume safely prepared, edible cookie dough instead of raw versions.
Exercising caution allows you to satisfy your cookie craving without getting sick. While most cases are not fatal, raw dough can still have severe consequences for high-risk groups. When in doubt, whip up a fresh batch of fully baked cookies to enjoy!
