Pork

[Bob G]

The Cracklin thread has me thinking...
I know I know LOL Shallow mind - Shallow thought
But really. I always here people saying "one will get sick if the pork is not well done"
So I ask the questions -
"Who has been sick from eating pork that was under cooked, had trichinosis or something similar?"

"Did you seek medical attention?"

"What did they give you, or you take, to get rid of your illness?"

tending the fire,
Papa G.

[panhandlehunter]

In wild pork, I always make sure to cook it thoroughly. Pork from the store, I'll cook it to about medium.

[jetlag887]

I've always heard that as well. I've hunted and fished all my life and never been sick from anything I've ever cooked or eaten. Maybe just lucky I guess..

[Lynn21]

Don't chance it, cook it good.

[Stan R]

For farm pork that have changed what temp the meat should be cooked not to long ago.

May 25, 2011 -- Just in time for the start of grilling season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has updated guidelines for safely preparing pork. The USDA recommends that pork be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

The federal agency says it is lowering the recommended safe cooking temperature for whole cuts of pork from 160 degrees to 145 degrees and adding a 3-minute rest time.

[dustoffer]

Here's the FDA food safety guidelines on internal cooking temps--based on science and not granny's say-so. Any pathogens in the meat is killed and rendered non-threatening. Note that pork's temp is lower than ground beef, and how many of us eat medium rare burgers?

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/UCM257049.pdf

[SaltwaterSlick]

One of my favorite restaurant's in my area serves a grilled double pork chop with some kind of secret sauce and when I get it I always order it medium... First time I ordered it, the waiter recommended I get it that way... WOW was it good. Been doing it that way ever since... When I grill chops at home now, I try to do them a little lighter now too.

[Texas Grown]

Bob, no one has survived to reply for you.

All kidding aside, there's some mean and portentously deadly diseases if not cooked properly.