We can’t make our own playdough anymore?!

If you’re here, you might have seen my Instagram post on the news that the Food Standards Agency recommends children don’t play with or eat raw dough, including playdough!

In early years, it's common to use flour in play, such as in homemade playdough or exploring cornflour. However, due to concerns over allergies, food safety, and potential exposure to harmful bacteria like E. coli, the key recommendations advise against using raw flour in activities where it might be ingested or inhaled, as these can pose health risks, particularly for young children who are more vulnerable.

Does this mean we can’t make our own playdough anymore? In short, no.

Here are some solutions…

1. You can treat flour by heating it to make it safe.

The flour should be heated to 70°C for a minimum of 2 minutes.

Using an oven:

• Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas mark 4

• Spread the flour out evenly on a lined baking tray and bake for 5 minutes, stirring half-way through.

• Ideally, use a food thermometer to check the temperature of the flour in a few different spots when stirring and after 5 minutes

• The flour should be heated to 70°C for a minimum of 2 minutes

• Make sure to cool the flour before using

  Using a frying pan:

• Tip the flour into a heavy-based frying pan and place over a medium heat

• Stir constantly for about 4 minutes until all the flour is hot

• Ideally, use a food thermometer to check the temperature of the flour in a few different spots

• The flour should be heated to 70°C for a minimum of 2 minutes

• Make sure to cool the flour before using

2. Cooked Playdough Recipes

Opt for cooked playdough recipes where the flour is heated as part of the preparation process. This approach makes the flour safer by cooking out harmful bacteria.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of plain flour

• 2 tbsp. of cooking oil

• 1 tsp. cream of tartar

• 2 cups of water

• 1 cup of salt

• food colouring

Instructions:

• Add the food colouring to the water.

• Place all the ingredients in a medium size or large pan.

• Cook slowly on medium to high heat and stir until the playdough thickens.

• Check the temperature of the dough reaches 70°C for a minimum of 2 minutes

• Allow to cool and knead to reach a smooth consistency

What about cornflour?

The risk with cornflour is similar to that of any other raw flour and should be treated and handled in the same way. 

Here are three things you can do to further protect staff and children

• Wash hands with soap and warm water after handling flour or any surfaces they have touched 

• Wash bowls, utensils, and other surfaces with warm, soapy water or a suitable cleaning product

• Make sure worktops are cleaned thoroughly

As with anything, always do your own research, update your risk assessments, and ensure you share this information with the whole team.

Read the guidance from the Food Standards Agency here.

This information was correct at the time of publication 05/09/2024.