Key lime pie has the potential to make you sick if it is uncooked or under-cooked. The reason for this is the presence of Salmonella enteritidis bacteria, which can be found in raw eggs. This bacterium has been responsible for several outbreaks of food-borne illness in recent years.
Salmonella enteritidis is a common cause of food poisoning, and it can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, and headache. These symptoms can appear within 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food.
To avoid the risk of getting sick from Key lime pie, it is essential to ensure that the eggs used in the recipe are properly cooked. Cooking eggs to a safe internal temperature kills the bacteria and reduces the risk of illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends cooking eggs until both the yolk and white are firm.
It is important to note that traditional Key lime pie recipes often call for uncooked or minimally cooked eggs in the filling. This can pose a risk, especially if the eggs used are contaminated with Salmonella enteritidis. While some people may be comfortable taking the risk, it is generally recommended to err on the side of caution and opt for a recipe that uses cooked eggs or pasteurized egg products.
Food safety authorities, such as the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recommend using pasteurized eggs or egg products in recipes that call for raw or under-cooked eggs. Pasteurization is a process that kills bacteria like Salmonella while retaining the nutritional value of the eggs. Pasteurized egg products can be found in most grocery stores and are a safer alternative for recipes like Key lime pie.
In my personal experience, I have always been cautious when it comes to consuming raw or under-cooked eggs. I have followed the recommendations of food safety experts and have opted for recipes that use pasteurized eggs or cooked eggs in dishes like Key lime pie. This has given me peace of mind and helped reduce the risk of food-borne illness.
To summarize, uncooked or under-cooked Key lime pie can indeed make you sick due to the potential presence of Salmonella enteritidis bacteria in raw eggs. It is advisable to use cooked eggs or pasteurized egg products in recipes to reduce the risk of food-borne illness. It is always better to prioritize food safety and take necessary precautions to protect your health.