Bulletin Food Safety

November 5, 2006 No. 004 (2006) Safe requires pasteurized Use only pasteurized Some people advocate methods Eggnog is a milk and to pasteurize your own eggs. eggs or based beverage traditionally While it is possible, it requires cook egg enjoyed during the winter patience and an accurate food holidays. Some recipes simply thermometer. A better method nog holiday combine milk, eggs, and sugar in a is to simply make a cooked egg- drinks. blender. This practice is NOT nog recipe: recommended due to the possi- 1 qt Milk bility that the raw eggs can con- tain . 4 Eggs 1/4 c Powdered sugar Salmonella is frequently found on 1 tsp Vanilla extract raw egg shells and it may even contaminate the interior. Con- In a heavy saucepan, combine sumers should always eat only milk, eggs and powdered sugar. safely cooked foods containing Mix well using a wire whisk. eggs. Slowly bring to a simmer, over low heat, for 5 minutes, stirring To make safe eggnog consumers frequently with the whisk. Re- should use pasteurized eggs pur- move from heat. Add vanilla ex- chased from the store or use a tract and mix well. Refrigerate cooked eggnog recipe. until cold. Store refrigerated for 1-2 days. Pasteurized eggs may be found in the grocery store. Look for Will recipes containing alco- Brian A. Nummer, Ph.D. them in the shell or as blended hol kill Salmonella? No. Once Utah State Univ. Cooperative Extension Food Safety Program egg products that come in small alcohol is diluted it no longer effec- 8700 Old Main Hill milk-container shaped cardboard. tively kills bacteria. You will still- Logan, UT 84322 Ask your grocery store clerk for need to use pasteurized eggs. (435) 797-2116 help if you can’t find any. Keep in mind that egg- [email protected] nog over heat will remove the alco- http://foodsafety.usu.edu hol.

This publication is issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work. Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Noelle Cockette, Vice President and Director, Cooperative Extension Service, Utah State University.