Registered dietitian-nutritionists have warned Nigerians against boiling raw eggs together with rice in the same pot, citing the risk of bacterial cross-contamination.

The experts said bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli may be present on eggshells and could potentially contaminate rice when both foods are cooked together, particularly where eggs are not properly handled or washed.

The warning was contained in a report by PUNCH Healthwise on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, following discussions around the increasingly common practice among Nigerian households.

Why cooking them together may pose a risk

According to the nutritionists, the concern is not that rice and eggs are unhealthy when eaten together, but that bacteria on the outer surface of an egg could be transferred to the cooking water and subsequently come into contact with the rice.

Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist James Oloyede, a former Director of Nutrition Services and Health Education at the Osun State Primary Health Care Development Board, explained that rice begins absorbing water as soon as it is placed in the pot.

He said if contaminated water is absorbed by the rice before the cooking process reaches temperatures sufficient to destroy the bacteria, there could be a risk of cross-contamination.

“Cooking egg and rice together in the same pot has been found to be a risk factor in cross-contamination of certain bacteria, especially Salmonella,” Oloyede said.

He added that eggshells could also crack during cooking, allowing egg white or yolk to spill into the rice and alter its taste, appearance and smell.

Why Nigerians cook them in one pot

The practice is particularly common among households trying to save cooking gas, water, time and utensils.

With the rising cost of cooking fuel, some Nigerians have adopted different methods of preparing rice and eggs together, including placing eggs directly inside the pot or wrapping them in nylon before putting them in the rice.

Oloyede, however, said such measures do not replace proper food-safety practices.

He maintained that the safest option is to cook the egg and rice separately.

“The safest way of cooking egg and rice is to boil them separately,” he said.

Experts say food safety should come first

The nutritionist warned that the small savings in cooking time or gas could be outweighed by the potential cost of treating a foodborne infection.

According to him, illness caused by Salmonella could result in medical expenses, time away from work and reduced productivity, creating additional financial pressure for households.

The warning followed a recent viral discussion on X in which some users shared experiences and concerns about consuming rice and eggs prepared in the same pot. PUNCH reported that the practice remains widespread because of its convenience and the desire to reduce household cooking expenses.

For households that want to continue eating rice and eggs together, the experts’ central concern is safe preparation and prevention of cross-contamination.