Why cant you eat raw meat, when restaurants serve it.?!


Question: Why cant you eat raw meat, when restaurants serve it!.!?
well not actually raw, but my question is, they say never handle raw meat without cleaning your hands after wards, and never eat meat that still has blood when you dip the fork in, then why do restaurants serve meat that is called rare or medium done, when they cut into it, the blood is still there mixed with the juices, whats the difference, from that and half cooking something!. you can still get poisoning cant you!.Www@FoodAQ@Com


Answers:
It is recommended that you completely cook through any and all meats!. However, most people will tell you that the best steak is cooked medium rare!. Yes, the risk is still there, especially if you're in a high-risk population (pregnant women, children, elderly, people on medication, people with compromised immune systems) but if you cook it to medium rare, you've at least eliminated some of the risk!.

And if you check the menu at restaurants, there is usually a fine-print somewhere that tells you that there are dangers from eating undercooked meats!. This is to cover themselves should you get sick from eating undercooked meat, but acknowledging that people still like undercooked meat!.

If you want to be completely safe, refrain from eating undercooked meats and go for medium well and higher!. However, you can compromise a lot of flavour and wind up with a tough steak if you cook it for so long, which is why so many prefer it medium to medium rare!.

Rare kind of scares me a bit because it's basically a steak that you just seared; its centre is still cold, but with medium rare, the steak is over heat long enough to heat through the whole steak, cooking it somewhat, but without allowing it to stay too long!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

well, alot of restaurant menus actually state that they can not be responsible for under cooked eggs or meat, at least alot of them that i have been to say that!. Restaurants serve foods cooked rare or medium rare because alot of people request that they be cooked that way, and they are trying to satisfy their customersWww@FoodAQ@Com

i will be harmful for our stomachWww@FoodAQ@Com

It all depends on the restaurant & its suppliers attitude to handling the meat!.

Here is one possible health risk lurking in meat:

What is trichinellosis!?

Trichinellosis, also called trichinosis, is caused by eating raw or undercooked meat of animals infected with the larvae of a species of worm called Trichinella!. Infection occurs commonly in certain wild carnivorous (meat-eating) animals but may also occur in domestic pigs!.



What are the symptoms of a trichinellosis infection!?

Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, and abdominal discomfort are the first symptoms of trichinellosis!. Headaches, fevers, chills, cough, eye swelling, aching joints and muscle pains, itchy skin, diarrhea, or constipation follow the first symptoms!. If the infection is heavy, patients may experience difficulty coordinating movements, and have heart and breathing problems!. In severe cases, death can occur!.

For mild to moderate infections, most symptoms subside within a few months!. Fatigue, weakness, and diarrhea may last for months!.



How soon after infection will symptoms appear!?

Abdominal symptoms can occur 1-2 days after infection!. Further symptoms usually start 2-8 weeks after eating contaminated meat!. Symptoms may range from very mild to severe and relate to the number of infectious worms consumed in meat!. Often, mild cases of trichinellosis are never specifically diagnosed and are assumed to be the flu or other common illnesses!.



How does infection occur in humans and animals!?

When a human or animal eats meat that contains infective Trichinella cysts, the acid in the stomach dissolves the hard covering of the cyst and releases the worms!. The worms pass into the small intestine and, in 1-2 days, become mature!. After mating, adult females lay eggs!. Eggs develop into immature worms, travel through the arteries, and are transported to muscles!. Within the muscles, the worms curl into a ball and encyst (become enclosed in a capsule)!. Infection occurs when these encysted worms are consumed in meat!.



Am I at risk for trichinellosis!?

If you eat raw or undercooked meats, particularly bear, pork, wild feline (such as a cougar), fox, dog, wolf, horse, seal, or walrus, you are at risk for trichinellosis!.



Can I spread trichinellosis to others!?

No!. Infection can only occur by eating raw or undercooked meat containing Trichinella worms!.



What should I do if I think I have trichinellosis!?
See your health care provider who can order tests and treat symptoms of trichinellosis infection!. If you have eaten raw or undercooked meat, you should tell your health care provider!.



How is trichinellosis infection diagnosed!?

A blood test or muscle biopsy can show if you have trichinellosis!.



How is trichinellosis infection treated!?

Several safe and effective prescription drugs are available to treat trichinellosis!. Treatment should begin as soon as possible and the decision to treat is based upon symptoms, exposure to raw or undercooked meat, and laboratory test results!.



Is trichinellosis common!?
I
nfection was once very common and usually caused by ingestion of undercooked pork!. However, infection is now relatively rare!. During 1997-2001, an average of 12 cases per year were reported!. The number of cases has decreased because of legislation prohibiting the feeding of raw-meat garbage to hogs, commercial and home freezing of pork, and the public awareness of the danger of eating raw or undercooked pork products!. Cases are less commonly associated with pork products and more often associated with eating raw or undercooked wild game meats!.



How can I prevent trichinellosis!?

Cook meat products until the juices run clear or to an internal temperature of 170 o F!.

Freeze pork less than 6 inches thick for 20 days at 5 o F to kill any worms!.

Cook wild game meat thoroughly!. Freezing wild game meats, unlike freezing pork products, even for long periods of time, may not effectively kill all worms!.

Cook all meat fed to pigs or other wild animals!.

Do not allow hogs to eat uncooked carcasses of other animals, including rats, which may be infected with trichinellosis!.
Clean meat grinders thoroughly if you prepare your own ground meats!.
Curing (salting), drying, smoking, or microwaving meat does not consistently kill infective worms!.
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