Dietitians warn against boiling unwashed eggs with rice

Registered dietician-nutritionists have advised Nigerians not to boil unpeeled and unwashed eggs together with rice, warning that the practice could create a risk of cross-contamination. The experts told PUNCH Healthwise that bacteria, including Salmonella and E. coli, may be present on eggshells.

Although boiling can destroy bacteria, they said contamination could occur while the water is warming before it reaches boiling point. Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist James Oloyede said rice begins absorbing water as soon as it is placed in a pot. If contaminated water surrounds an egg, he said, bacteria could potentially be absorbed with the water and remain through the cooking process.

Oloyede also said eggshells can crack during cooking. Egg white could then spill into the rice, changing its appearance, taste and odour. He acknowledged that people combine the foods to save time, fuel, water and utensils, especially as cooking gas prices rise.

Another dietician-nutritionist, Charles Oguikpe, similarly warned that contaminants on eggshells could be transferred to the rice. Both experts said cooking the foods separately was the safest option. The warning followed a viral discussion on X about alleged contamination after rice and egg were cooked together.

Oloyede said the potential costs of foodborne illness, including medical bills, lost work and reduced productivity, outweighed the savings from using one pot.