What? I can't lick cake mix from the spoon anymore?
With the US in the grip of a bird flu outbreak (the United States Department of Agriculture states that over 18 million birds have contracted the virus) and cases spreading across the UK, you might be wondering if eggs are safe to eat. The answer? Yes, if fully cooked - so sadly that means no more cake batter straight from the mixing bowl.
Avian influenza is a disease previously known to primarily spread between birds and poultry, not other species. However, one specific subtype of bird flu called the H5N1 virus has crossed over to infect mammals, like cows, and in limited instances, people. Worldwide, there have been over 400 deaths fro avian influenza, and there is even a recent case of bird to human transmission in the UK - an unidentified farm worker from the West Midlands became the seventh person to test positive in the UK since 2021 and only the second to have any symptoms.
While experts say the risk to the public is “very low” (all people who have been infected in the UK have been in close contact with birds), there are steps you can take to minimise your exposure.
Are raw eggs safe to eat?
Experts say it's best to avoid raw eggs, so that means no cake batter! And avoid runny eggs too - so skip eggs Benedict, and make sure your scrambled eggs are extra-fluffy, not wet. “Eggs should be cooked until both the yolk and white are firm,” says Dr. Gregory Weston, a US-based associate professor of medicine and infectious diseases. “For casseroles containing eggs, the temperature should reach at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.”
Both the NHS and Food Standards Agency advise that eggs should be fully cooked during a bird flu outbreak. "The Food Standards Agency states that, based on current scientific evidence, bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers," says Dr Vikram Murthy, GP & co-founder of the Harley St Clinic Murthy Health. "All thoroughly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. The NHS also confirms that you cannot catch bird flu through eating fully cooked poultry or eggs, even in areas with an outbreak."
How can I minimise the risk of catching bird flu?
"To minimise any potential risk, it’s important to follow proper food handling practices such as hand washing and preventing cross contamination," says Dr Murthy. "Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw poultry and eggs." Dr Murthy also advises keeping raw poultry and eggs separate from other foods, and after preparing raw poultry, washing cutting boards, knives, and countertops with hot, soapy water.
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