Is it Safe to Eat Tofu Raw?

Condensed soy milk is used to make tofu, which looks like a sponge cake. There are a lot of Asian and vegetarian recipes.

Some recipes require cold, raw tofu, typically broken or cut into cubes. Some recipes require baked or fried tofu. If you’ve never eaten uncooked tofu before, you might be wondering if it’s safe.

In this piece, we look at whether or not it is safe to eat raw tofu and what risks might be involved.

Benefits of eating raw tofu

Tofu is already cooked, so the idea that you can eat it raw is a little false.

To make tofu, we soak, cook, and turn soy beans into soy milk. We cook the soy milk again and then add coagulants to help it thicken and turn into a cake.

Eating tofu right out of the package might be good for you in a number of ways.

Tofu is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to get plant-based protein, because all you have to do to get it ready is drain the extra water. Furthermore, it contains a lot of beneficial nutrients, such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese.

Smoothies, purées, and mixed sauces can all have raw tofu added to them. You can also use it as a base for making your own ice cream.

Eating tofu raw also keeps you from adding as many oils or fats as you might when cooking it the usual way. This, along with the fact that tofu is low in calories, may be important for people trying to cut down on fat or calories.

Risks of eating raw tofu

Because tofu is already made, eating it raw doesn’t put you at the same risk of getting sick as eating raw meat or eggs.

However, depending on the manufacturing process, consuming raw tofu may increase your risk of contracting certain food-borne illnesses.

Tofu could get contaminated during the making process, just like any other commercially made food.

This could happen if it came into contact with germs from another food, like raw chicken, or if a worker coughed, sneezed, or touched it without washing their hands first.

The fact that tofu is stored in water means that germs in the water could make it dirty.

Tofu that came into contact with untreated factory water caused an outbreak of Yersinia enterocolitica, a serious GI illness, in the early 1980s.

There is also a chance that raw tofu could contain Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can make you sick. Tofu often contains nisin and other chemicals to prevent its growth.

Yeast-fermented tofu differs from store-bought tofu. Fermented tofu has a higher chance of having dangerous foodborne pathogens like Clostridium botulinum, which is a poison that can paralyse you.

People who are still developing or who don’t have strong immune systems are more likely to have more dangerous effects from foodborne illness.

Some of these people include infants, adults over 65, pregnant women, and people with autoimmune diseases.

When storing raw tofu, these groups should follow the same rules they use for other foods to keep it safe.

If you become ill due to food, you may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, bloating, cramps, and gas. If you have severe symptoms like bloody diarrhea, fever, or diarrhea lasting more than two days, you should see a doctor.

How to safely eat raw tofu

Tofu comes in three different textures: soft, firm, and extra firm. You can eat any of them raw, though.

Before you eat raw tofu, make sure you drain off any extra liquid from the package.

To keep germs from growing on any leftover tofu, it’s also important to store it the right way. The danger zone is the temperature range between 40°F and 140°F (4°C to 60°C), where bacteria are most likely to grow.

When making raw tofu for consumption, such as crumbling it on a salad or cutting it into cubes, use clean, washed tools to keep the tofu from coming into contact with any possible contaminants. A clean desk or cutting board is included.

The bottom line

Some grocery stores sell tofu that isn’t really raw because it was cooked before it was put in its package.

It delivers a lot of health benefits and is simple to add to many dishes and recipes without much work.

Tofu can be eaten right out of the package, but there is still a chance that it has been contaminated during the making process. Before you eat it, it’s also important to make sure you prepare and store it safely at home.

Even though most people won’t get sick from eating raw tofu, very young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people whose immune systems aren’t strong should be extra careful when eating tofu that hasn’t been cooked again at home.

Frequently Asked Questions