What’s wrong with raw cookie dough?
The uncooked eggs in this sweet treat may contain salmonella, bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. The number of eggs affected is quite small and many forborne illnesses can be prevented when you properly cook your food.

I thought the eggs in the Nestle cookie dough was pasteurized?
Yes, it was. The pasteurized egg in Nestle's cookie dough should not contain salmonella  or any other pathogen, but theoretically, other ingredients in the cookie dough could the E. coli bacteria. That’s why the baking instructions insist that you cook the cookies.

Should I worry about cookie dough ice cream?
The cookie dough in ice cream isn’t actually “raw.” The eggs are pasteurized and the dough is meant to be eaten in a state that appears to be “raw.” Cookie dough that is meant to be cooked, whether it is homemade or bought in a store, should be baked to prevent the risk of forborne illness.

I have a package of Nestle cookie dough.
Can’t I just bake it and be safe?
The Food and Drug Administration said consumers should not try to cook the dough, even though it would be safe to eat if cooked, because the bacteria could move to their hands and to countertops and other cooking surfaces.

What is the shelf life of cookie dough?
The Food Marketing Institute's (FMI) "The Food Keeper" recommends storing commercially prepared cookie dough, either unopened or opened, in the refrigerator and use it before the date on the label. For best quality, freeze for 2 months.

Homemade cookie dough should be stored in small containers in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 days or freeze for 2 months. Alternatively, small quantities of dough can be frozen and thawed in the refrigerator as needed.

Who is at risk for eating raw or undercooked eggs?
People with health problems, the very young, senior citizens, and pregnant women (the risk is to the unborn child) are particularly vulnerable to Salmonella enteritidis infections. A chronic illness weakens the immune system, making the person vulnerable to foodborne illnesses. No one should eat foods containing raw eggs. This includes health food milk shakes made with raw eggs, Caesar salad, Hollandaise sauce, and any other foods like homemade mayonnaise, ice cream, or eggnog made from recipes in which the egg ingredients are not cooked. However, in-shell pasteurized eggs may be used safely without cooking.

Wait a minute. You’re saying shell eggs cane be pasteurized?
Yes, shell eggs can be pasteurized by a processor if FDA approves the process. Pasteurized shell eggs are now available at some grocery stores. Like all eggs, they must be kept refrigerated. The equipment to pasteurize shell eggs isn't available for home use, and it is not possible to pasteurize shell eggs at home without cooking the contents of the egg.

Are powdered egg whites pasteurized?
Yes. Egg white powder is dried egg white (pure albumen). It can be reconstituted by mixing the powder with water. The reconstituted powder whips like fresh egg white and, because it is pasteurized, can be used safely without cooking or baking it. The product is usually sold along with supplies for cake baking and decorating.

Do I need to wash my eggs?
No. It's not necessary for consumers to wash eggs. When the chicken lays the egg, a protective coating is put on the outside by the hen. At the plant, government regulations require that USDA-graded eggs be carefully washed and sanitized using special detergent.

Can I use eggs that have cracks?
Bacteria can enter eggs through cracks in the shell. Never purchase cracked eggs. However, if eggs crack on the way home from the store, break them into a clean container, cover it tightly, keep refrigerated, and use within 2 days. If eggs crack during hard cooking, they are safe.

Source: USDA, Food Marketing Institute