Is it okay to eat raw cookie dough that was packaged and not made from scratch?

It is generally not advisable to eat raw cookie dough, even if it is packaged and not made from scratch.

Raw cookie dough contains raw eggs and flour, which can carry harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. These bacteria can cause foodborne illnesses, leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Packaged cookie dough may have undergone certain processing steps to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination, such as heat treatment or the addition of preservatives.

However, it's important to follow the storage and handling instructions provided on the packaging to ensure the dough remains safe for consumption.

Here are some reasons why eating raw cookie dough can be risky:

- Raw eggs: Eggs are a common ingredient in cookie dough, and they can carry Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella can cause food poisoning, which can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.

- Raw flour: Flour is another common ingredient in cookie dough, and it can carry E. coli bacteria. E. coli can also cause food poisoning, which can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

- Sugar: Sugar can attract bacteria, which can grow in the cookie dough and cause it to spoil.

If you are concerned about the safety of eating raw cookie dough, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid consuming it. Instead, you can try one of the many recipes available for making safe, edible cookie dough that does not contain raw eggs or flour.