Yes, it is dangerous to eat raw or undercooked ground beef because it can contain harmful bacteria. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends not eating or tasting raw or undercooked ground beef. To be sure all bacteria are destroyed, cook meat loaf, meatballs, casseroles, and hamburgers to 160 °F.
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Infection of Pathogenic E. coli from Undercooked Beef Burger Can be Fatal
The intestinal tracts of cattle is the main reservoir of pathogenic E. coli bacteria. One of the serotypes, E. coli O157:H7, may cause acute renal failure, particular in young children and the elderly. In 1993, E. coli O157:H7, linked to contaminated hamburgers from the Jack in the Box chain restaurants, infected hundreds of people in the USA. The majority of the victims were under 10 years old. Four children died and some victims were left with permanent kidney damage.
Despite the hard-earned lesson from the above incident, outbreaks associated with undercooked ground beef still occurred from time to time worldwide. In 2019, ground beef contaminated with another strain of pathogenic E. coli sickened over 200 people in the USA. In Hong Kong, there were also sporadic cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection linked to minced beef congee reported in the past.
Provide Consumer Advice for Undercooked Meat
Restaurants that serve undercooked steaks are encouraged to provide consumer advice on their menus to inform consumers of the potential risk. The following is an example of consumer advice that restaurants can provide, whereas it applies to raw/undercooked high-risk food of all sorts:
“Consuming raw or undercooked foods may increase the risk of foodborne illness, especially for pregnant women, infants, young children, the elderly and people with weakened immunity.”
Fully cooked burgers still pink?! Here’s the how and why! #meatscience #shorts
FAQ
What should I do if I ate raw hamburger?
Can you eat burger patties rare?
Can my burger be a little pink?
Are beef patties safe to eat?
Can You Eat Raw Burger?
It is not recommended to eat raw burger or any other raw meat. Raw meat can contain harmful bacteria such as E.coli, Salmonella, and Listeria that can cause foodborne illnesses. What are the risks of eating raw burger?
How to make a healthy burger?
There are different ways to make a healthy burger. Traditional bread can be replaced by wholemeal bread or skillet bread rich in fiber or other similar preparations. The sauce used can be a homemade avocado sauce or beet hummus for example. Meat can be prepared at home with ground beef and natural seasonings or you can use shredded chicken breast or canned tuna. Lettuce, tomato and onion are also welcome and a healthy burger.
Can you eat a Raw Burger if you’re sick?
In conclusion, eating raw burger is not safe and should be avoided. Always cook your burgers thoroughly according to recommended guidelines to eliminate the risk of foodborne illness. How Long After Eating Raw Hamburger Would You Be Sick?
What happens if you eat raw burgers?
The risks of eating raw burgers or any undercooked meat include food poisoning, which can cause a range of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. How does cooking kill harmful bacteria in burgers?