Instructions: You may want to update your familys favorite eggnog recipe to avoid risking food-borne illness over the holidays.

We now know that even the refrigerated grade-A eggs with clean, uncracked shells can be contaminated with salmonella enteritis bacteria. Scientists strongly suspect that bacteria can be transmitted from infected laying hens directly into the interior of eggs before the shells are formed.

But its my grandmothers recipe! Take heart; cooking eggs thoroughly kills the salmonella bacteria. There are two ways to make Grandmas recipe safe:

Cook or microwave the eggs to 160 degrees Fahrenheit or until the mixture thickens enough to coat a spoon. Refrigerate immediately. If you have made large amounts of eggnog, divide it into several shallow containers so it will cool quickly.

Replace the raw eggs in grandmas recipe with egg substitute (which are also pasteurized and need no cooking) to be safe.

What about the eggnog sold in your grocery store? It is made with pasteurized eggs and requires no cooking.

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