# Egg Coffee's TikTok Surge Comes With Food Safety Concerns
Egg coffee, a traditional Vietnamese beverage gaining traction on social media, carries health risks when made with raw or undercooked eggs. The drink combines whipped raw egg yolks with sweetened condensed milk and hot coffee, creating a creamy topping.
The primary concern involves salmonella contamination. Raw eggs can harbor salmonella bacteria, which causes foodborne illness with symptoms including diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Vulnerable populations face greater risk. Pregnant individuals, young children, older adults, and immunocompromised people experience more severe infections.
Food safety experts stress that heating eggs to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit kills salmonella. Most egg coffee recipes use raw eggs added directly to hot coffee, which may not reach temperatures high enough to fully pasteurize the eggs. The brief exposure to hot liquid often leaves eggs undercooked.
Some recipes call for egg yolks to be whipped with sugar. While sugar acts as a preservative, it does not eliminate bacterial risk. Homemade versions carry higher contamination risk than professionally prepared beverages from established cafes with food safety protocols.
People who want to enjoy egg coffee safely should use pasteurized eggs or egg products specifically designed for raw consumption. Pasteurized eggs undergo heat treatment that eliminates salmonella while maintaining their texture. Alternatively, heating raw eggs to 160 degrees before adding them to coffee eliminates the pathogen.
The beverage itself offers nutritional benefits when prepared safely. Eggs provide protein, choline, and lutein. The combination with coffee delivers caffeine and antioxidants. These advantages disappear if consumption leads to foodborne illness.
Home cooks preparing egg coffee should prioritize safety over viral trends. Buying past