pork -- is it safe?

SuzyLy
SuzyLy Posts: 133 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Someone just mentioned on a forum that they don't eat pork or beef, which led me to notice that I have been buying more and more pork, due to a lot of supermarket sales lately on pork butts, bacon, ribs, etc. Does anyone know if all the bacteria content disappear with cooking it to the proper temperature?
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Replies

  • SuzyLy
    SuzyLy Posts: 133 Member
    somehow I always post when other questions are active and get no responsese, so I'll try keeping this at the top . . .
  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    i'm not a big pork eater (it doesn't agree with me), and i don't know what country you're from, but for the most part, meat sold in the US is inspected and barring some weirdo event, is safe to eat when cooked to the proper temperature.
  • Mainebikerchick
    Mainebikerchick Posts: 1,573 Member
    I'm pretty sure the bacteria does dissipate, but you should always wash it throughly first before cooking. Also, are you aware that the guidelines changed for the temp on cooked pork? Can't remember exactly what it is off the top of my head but basically, you don't have to cook pork as long as it was once thought.
  • lucystacy71
    lucystacy71 Posts: 290 Member
    I'm eating pork today, and I've eaten it plenty of times in the past. I've never had a problem with it.
  • SpecialKitty7
    SpecialKitty7 Posts: 678 Member
    don't wash your meat first, it's unnecessary and unsanitary

    http://www.nbcnews.com/business/stop-washing-your-chicken-8C11067715
  • InForBacon
    InForBacon Posts: 1,508 Member
    This makes me want bacon.
  • Factory_Reset
    Factory_Reset Posts: 1,651 Member
    mmmmmm.............bacon
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Eat it all the time.... Have had Pork 2 this week already..... Nothing wrong with it whatsoever just make sure it is cooked to the correct internal temperature lo that goes with any meats though lol.... Best of Luck
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    This makes me want bacon.

    Here you go:

    bacon-1024x754_zps85120231.jpg
  • Justifier
    Justifier Posts: 336 Member
    Bacteria don't disappear with heat, they die...
  • toscarthearmada
    toscarthearmada Posts: 382 Member
    I eat pork all the time too. But I'm very selective about what cuts of pork I eat because it's so fatty.
  • CherokeeBabe
    CherokeeBabe Posts: 1,704 Member
    A google search probably would give you all the info you need for your question. Cooking times, food safety, misconceptions that have been disproven, useful tips, etc. Anytime I have a food question I always do a thorough online search and find a wealth of information, more than enough to answer any questions I've ever had. :)
  • VeganLexi
    VeganLexi Posts: 960 Member
    Define "safe"...
  • Ainar
    Ainar Posts: 858 Member
    No. But most of it does. There is always some bacteria left on food we ate even if it's fresh and cooked. But not in the amounts that would harm us. It's normal. You never can make food completely sterile... cook it as much as you like, ain't gonna happen.

    I think the reason why people don't ate pork is cos of fat in it. It has high amounts of saturated fat what is not good for your health. So that to me seems the most sensible reason why you should avoid it. Bacteria really isn't a concern... it's everywhere anyways. And as long as you ate fresh food you will be fine.
  • IronCakes
    IronCakes Posts: 317 Member
    I eat pork everything, sometimes twice a day. How else do you think I keep this rocking legs?
  • Ibarra951
    Ibarra951 Posts: 19 Member
    Like everyone else said, if it's properly cooked you should be good to go. If you bought it from a store, it's probably sourced from a properly inspected source. If it still bugs you, buy a thermometer and ensure that the internal temperature of the meat reaches the appropriate level.
  • JustYandy
    JustYandy Posts: 221 Member
    I'm still alive
  • MercenaryNoetic26
    MercenaryNoetic26 Posts: 2,747 Member
    It's as safe as everything else you eat. Enjoy!
  • vdolmstead
    vdolmstead Posts: 17 Member
    If you lost 312 pounds eating pork, I'm going to only eat pork!
  • harvo
    harvo Posts: 4,676 Member
    Temp and duration is the key to any meat...eat a good balnce of other food and all should go well...
  • Iron_Lotus
    Iron_Lotus Posts: 2,295 Member
    Pork! I just like the word and it's implications
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    Image-3-Pulp-Fiction.jpg
    Pork chops are good.
    Bacon is good.
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    Image-3-Pulp-Fiction.jpg
    Pork chops are good.
    Bacon is good.
    gonna bump my response in case OP didn't see it.
  • Bankman1989
    Bankman1989 Posts: 1,116 Member
    Are you asking is it safe to Pork? Tee hee...
  • SashleyA
    SashleyA Posts: 122 Member
    Trichinosis is the parasite most associated with pork, and on average only 11 cases are reported in the USA each year, and most of those are from game (deer mostly). The CDC has some cool graphs on the matter. Basically, it's pretty safe and as long as you cook it, you'll avoid other typical meat born illnesses.

    (I used US statistics because they're easy to find, but if you're not in the US, but are in Europe or Canada or other well developed areas, you'll find pretty much the same risk).
  • skullshank
    skullshank Posts: 4,323 Member
    hell yes, pork.
    i quite literally ate it by the pound this summer, as i became obsessed with my new hobby of smoking meat.

    (insert BJ joke here)



    (insert joke about using the word "insert" in a follow-up statement about meat.......here)
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    Actually, the USDA decreased the cooking temperature suggestions for pork a few years ago. Pork safety has improved quite a bit, and you are more likely to experience contamination by consuming raw fruits and vegetables. Salmonella and e. coli from lettuces, for example.
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    Please read this article. For USDA pork, you should be fine, even if it is still pink.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/25/dining/porks-safe-cooking-temperature-is-lowered.html?_r=0
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    No. But most of it does. There is always some bacteria left on food we ate even if it's fresh and cooked. But not in the amounts that would harm us. It's normal. You never can make food completely sterile... cook it as much as you like, ain't gonna happen.

    I think the reason why people don't ate pork is cos of fat in it. It has high amounts of saturated fat what is not good for your health. So that to me seems the most sensible reason why you should avoid it. Bacteria really isn't a concern... it's everywhere anyways. And as long as you ate fresh food you will be fine.

    Granted some cut of pork have higher fats (bacon being one of them) Pig lard is over half made up of Monounsaturated fats which are responsible for lowering LDL levels while leaving HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels alone but none of these fats eaten in moderation are bad for you and there are actually cuts of Pork that are leaner than some beefs. I won't be leaving pork out of my diet anytime soon...
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    This is just too easy.... *tiptoes out*

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