What meats are safe to eat raw?

Meat is commonly eaten when cooked. It is general knowledge that cooking food in high and correct temperatures is one way to kill pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites to prevent food contamination. Although it is the standard for meats to be cooked, there are still cases that meat is eaten raw.

Risks in eating raw meat

Raw meat contains harmful bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, and listeria. It might also contain harmful microorganisms like worms. In consuming raw meat, one might catch food-borne illnesses or viruses such as Hepatitis A. Staphylococcus aureus might also contaminate your raw meat when handling it. All of these can be eliminated by cooking the meat.

Because fresh meat contains high water content, it enables bacteria to multiply. Washing meat does not get rid of bacteria. It spreads bacteria even more. Equipment and utensils used in preparing raw meat could also get contaminated because it touches the food. With a temperature not high or cold enough, bacteria from raw meat tend to multiply rapidly. This makes raw food risky to consume.

Are there raw meats that are safe to eat?

Some well-known raw meats are served in restaurants. People seem to enjoy steak cooked rare or sushi without minding that they eat raw meat. Although these foods are acceptable and served in food businesses, there is no guarantee that it is 100% safe. To reduce the risks of eating raw meat, make sure that it is handled with proper care. Proper hygiene is vital in preparing raw meat. You should also ensure that the raw meat you will consume is fresh.