Tokyo Food Safety Information Center»Tokyo Metropolitan Government food safety FAQ»What should I do if I eat undercooked pork or chicken?
What should I do if I eat undercooked pork or chicken?
Raw meat can carry bacteria which cause food poisoning and, accordingly, eating undercooked pork or chicken may result in food poisoning. If you experience symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and fever after eating undercooked meat, seek a diagnosis from a medical institution immediately.
The symptoms of food poisoning from meat generally occur within seven days after eating. Accordingly, there is little need to worry if you experience no changes in health within seven days after eating undercooked meat.
Pigs and chickens frequently carry food poisoning-inducing bacteria such as Campylobacter and salmonella in their intestines. The surface of their meat and internal organs can then become contaminated with these bacteria from the intestines when the animals are processed. Bacteria which cause food poisoning may also be found in internal organs like the liver and gizzard. Accordingly, eating meat raw or undercooked can lead to food poisoning.
Even when the initial symptoms are light, food poisoning can abruptly become more severe. For example, Enterohemorrhagic E. coli can suddenly cause symptoms such as disruption of kidney function and impaired consciousness. Seek diagnosis from a medical institution immediately if you believe you have food poisoning.
The most common symptoms of food poisoning caused by raw and undercooked meat are as follows.
<Common characteristics of food poisoning caused by raw and undercooked meat>
These food poisoning causing bacteria can be killed by heat. Be sure to thoroughly cook your food until the heat completely reaches the center of the meat.
