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Health For Mzansi

Eating raw meat can make you sick

by Sidima Mfeku
3rd November 2021
in My Health
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
Raw meat may contain harmful bacteria, including salmonella, listeria, campylobacter and E. coli, which can cause food poisoning. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Raw meat may contain harmful bacteria, including salmonella, listeria, campylobacter and E. coli, which can cause food poisoning. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Some people live off a raw meat diet and claim they are healthier than ever before. However, experts warn that the bacteria it contains can make you sick.

Gluten advice: Registered dietician Lila Bruk. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi
Registered dietician Lila Bruk. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Uncooked meat contains bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, Yersinia and others, which might be very detrimental to your health, says registered dietician Lila Bruk of Lila Bruk & Associates.

Bruk believes it is common among some people to eat raw meat for customary purposes, even though there is more harm than good in eating animal proteins while uncooked.

“There are no nutrients found in raw meat that cannot be found in cooked meat. If anything, there is more harm in eating raw meat than good, as there is a high risk of bacterial contamination. And the bacteria found in raw meat can cause food poisoning,” she says.

This is why…

Some organs in our bodies, like the kidneys and liver, function to efficiently rid our bodies of waste and toxic substances, and returning vitamins, amino acids, glucose, hormones and other vital substances into our bloodstream.

This is similar where animals are concerned. As a result, some animal organs are more dangerous than others because they contain toxic substances that were meant to be excreted out of the animal systems. When eating raw meat that has not been thoroughly cooked, you might be exposing yourself to these toxins. It is therefore important to be cautious before consuming any meat.

“All raw meat is a risk for consumption. The only time raw meat can be had is if it is extremely fresh. Rather than saying some raw meat is better than others, I would say some raw meat is worse than others.”

Raw chicken

According to the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), salmonella causes more foodborne illnesses than any other bacteria and it is commonly found in chicken meat. The CDC research shows that 1 in every 25 packages of chicken at the grocery store is contaminated with salmonella.

Bacteria like salmonella can most commonly be found in raw chicken. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

“Raw chicken breast is known to be a huge risk in terms of contamination with salmonella and other foodborne illnesses, and it is one that many people should avoid eating uncooked,” Bruk adds.

Avoid bacterial contamination through storage

The 2018 outbreak of listeriosis in South Africa that claimed more than 200 lives, pointed to the risks associated with the processing of uncooked meat. Bruk says bacterial contamination is also a risk in the storing of raw meat, mostly in refrigerators.

Consuming raw beef is dangerous, as it can harbour illness-causing bacteria, including salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), shigella and Staphylococcus aureus, all of which are otherwise destroyed with heat during the cooking process. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

“Raw meat should always be kept separate from other raw foods, like your vegetables, to avoid further contamination. Raw meat should also not be chopped on the same chopping board used for chopping vegetables, to limit the spread of contamination. It is also very vital that you immediately refrigerate raw meat as soon as you reach your home,” Bruk says.

She further advises that you do not rinse uncooked meat as this is one of the ways in which you can contaminate your hands, the clothes you are wearing and the sink you are using.

ALSO READ: For food safety’s sake, do not wash your chicken

Tags: Food safetyGut healthHealthy dietLila Bruk
Sidima Mfeku

Sidima Mfeku

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HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers