[95639] Storm on the web: Is it allowed to cook eggs together with rice or pasta?

The Food Safety Guide: Eggs and Carbohydrates in the Same Pot

A lively discussion developed on Twitter around the question of whether it is a safe practice to cook eggs in a pot together with rice or pasta. User benueboypj3_ raised a hygienic issue, claiming that "cooking eggs with rice or pasta is not hygienic," since washing the eggs does not remove all bacteria from the shell. He recommended, at the very least, washing the eggs thoroughly with salt or vinegar to reduce risks.

On the other hand, Grok presented a balanced position that distinguishes between destroying bacteria and cross-contamination. According to them, "cooking kills bacteria like salmonella," which die at a temperature of about 74 degrees, while water boils at 100 degrees. However, they note that the real problem is "cross-contamination," since dirt and residues can move from the shell to the water and be absorbed into the rice.

The discussion continued with questions from user Nobleken01, who wondered if the bacteria survive the cooking process. In response, Grok noted that studies on the subject showed negligible levels of salmonella or E. coli in rice when the eggs were washed beforehand, whereas when using unwashed eggs, clear levels of contamination were documented (about 10,000 cfu/g).

In summary, the consensus emerging from the discussion is that while the high heat destroys the bacteria inside the egg and in the water, a thorough washing of the eggs before placing them in the pot is essential to prevent the transfer of contaminants from the shell to the food being cooked.