Registered dietitian-nutritionists have cautioned Nigerians against the common practice of boiling unpeeled eggs and rice together in the same pot, saying it raises the risk of cross-contamination and foodborne infections.
The experts warned that Salmonella and E. coli can lurk on eggshells and contaminate the rice as both cook together, adding that the bacteria may survive while the water is still warming up before it reaches boiling point.
In an interview with PUNCH Healthwise, Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist James Oloyede noted that rice starts absorbing water the moment it enters the pot, meaning bacteria in contaminated water could be soaked up along with it.
Oloyede said, "Cooking egg and rice together in the same pot has been found to be a risk factor in cross-contamination of certain bacteria, especially Salmonella, that can be found on the shell of the egg even after washing with the rice that is being cooked."
"The safest way of cooking egg and rice is to boil them separately. That's the safest way," Oloyede said, noting that although some Nigerians combine the two foods to save time and gas, food safety should come first.
Another registered dietitian-nutritionist, Charles Oguikpe, also warned that contaminants on eggshells could find their way onto the rice.
"Contaminants like Salmonella or E. coli can drop off on the rice. That's what we call cross-contamination," he said.
Oguikpe said such contamination could trigger stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and fever, with severe cases potentially leading to kidney complications. He explained that the contaminants could come from poultry droppings and may not be fully removed even after washing the eggs.
He therefore advised Nigerians to boil eggs separately and cook rice separately.
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