Dec. 20, 2018&mdash;It's hard to resist a quick taste of cookie dough or batter when you're baking, but that bite could have serious consequences. Flour can contain bacteria such as E. coli. And raw eggs that are used to make raw dough or batter can contain Salmonella. Both can make you sick.
The <a href="https://www.netreturns.biz/healthinfo/bouncelink.aspx?shortcut=cdc" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> recommends you follow these tips for safely handling any raw batter or dough: 
<ul>
 <li>Don't taste even a little bit of raw dough or batter, whether it's being used to make cookies, tortillas, pizzas, biscuits or pancakes.</li>
 <li>Don't let children play with or eat raw dough, including dough for crafts or ornaments.</li>
 <li>Follow the package directions for cooking or baking at the correct temperature and for the appropriate length of time.</li>
 <li>Don't make milkshakes with products that contain raw flour, like cake mix.</li>
 <li>Don't use raw, homemade cookie dough in ice cream. But if you buy cookie dough ice cream at the store, you're ok: The dough inside commercial ice cream has been treated to prevent illness.</li>
 <li>Keep raw foods, such as flour and eggs, separate from other foods.</li>
 <li>Do a thorough cleanup after handling flour, eggs, or raw dough or batter. Wash your hands with running water and soap. And wash all utensils and counter tops with warm, soapy water.</li>
</ul>
Double-check that flour
Two years ago, a large outbreak of E. coli infections was traced to flour sold under different brand names. If you have flour that's been in your pantry for a long time, check it against <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2016/o121-06-16/advice-consumers.html" target="_blank">this list </a>of flour that has been previously recalled. If you've stored flour in a container and don't know how long you've had it, throw the flour out to be safe.

Just say no to raw dough

Check out these tips for safe holiday baking. 