It is well documented that raw flour has been linked to several foodborne illness outbreaks. This also includes baking mixes, such as cake mix or cookie mix. Anything with raw flour as an ingredient must be baked to be safely consumed.
Social media has circulated another fad called ‘fluffy popcorn’ which uses raw cake mix to flavor popcorn. The instructions say to melt butter and marshmallows on low heat, then add a box of dry cake mix and the popped popcorn, remove from heat and it’s ready to eat. While it may seem the cake mix is being cooked, the temperature of this mixture may not reach 160°F to be safe for consumption.
While this may be a fun snack, it may not be fun if it makes you sick! Raw flour has been linked to E. coli and Salmonella infections which cause diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Some infections can become even worse, leading to kidney failure, chronic health problems, and even death. Avoid eating any raw flour product such as cookie batter or even licking the mixing spoon!
