Boiling eggs directly while cooking rice is a regular technique in many families in Nigeria.
While some regard this technique as unclean, claiming that eggshells cannot be entirely clean, others view it as a shortcut to save time, petrol, or effort.
In the meantime, culinary and health experts have cautioned against this long-standing custom.
Dietitians advise boiling eggs in a different pot as the safest way to completely prevent cross-contamination.
The shells of raw eggs are contaminated with dangerous bacteria and poultry droppings. Washing the egg completely can help, but microscopic bacteria can still travel to your rice as the water boils up.
Indisputably, rice and boiled eggs make a highly nutritious, accessible, and balanced meal.
They provide a complete protein source, essential amino acids, and sustained energy, making it an excellent combination for muscle recovery and general health.
An academic study found that rice cooked with unwashed eggs still in their shells showed detectable levels of E. coli and Salmonella, while rice cooked with properly washed eggs did not.
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‘This suggests that the risk is associated with hygiene practices rather than any poisonous substance in the eggshell itself.
According to the researchers, toxins and metabolites that can adversely affect human health may be present in eggshells. They therefore advised that rice and eggs should not be cooked together in the same medium (pot). For safety reasons, the researchers recommended that individuals boil rice and eggs separately, using different pots to avoid cross-contamination.
The primary component of eggshells is calcium carbonate, a naturally occurring mineral that is frequently used in dietary supplements and, when prepared correctly, is thought to be safe for human ingestion.
However, if eggshells are contaminated with poultry droppings, they may contain dangerous pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli, especially on the outside.
If food hygiene is inadequate, these microorganisms can result in foodborne illness.
Food poisoning is frequently caused by Salmonella and E. coli. Frequent symptoms include vomiting, fever, cramping in the stomach, and diarrhoea. Certain strains of E. coli can cause renal problems and bloody diarrhoea in extreme circumstances. By washing food properly, cooking it thoroughly, and handling it safely, these diseases can be avoided.
Research recommends cooking eggs separately. Washing them before cooking and boiling at 70 degrees Celsius helps eliminate these bacteria.
Cooking both together disrupts the ideal cook time for each ingredient, often leaving you with overcooked rubbery eggs or unevenly cooked rice.
It is advisable that one should place the raw eggs in a small steaming basket, sieve, or an elevated heatproof bowl over your cooking rice. This cooks the egg without submerging it in the rice water.
