If meat must be kept at low or high temperatures in order to avoid growth of harmful bacteria, why is it safe to eat cold meat? Shouldn’t the temperature of our mouths bring the meat to a lukewarm temperature, thereby promoting the growth of harmful bacteria?

Question

If meat must be kept at low or high temperatures in order to avoid growth of harmful bacteria, why is it safe to eat cold meat? Shouldn’t the temperature of our mouths bring the meat to a lukewarm temperature, thereby promoting the growth of harmful bacteria?

In: Other

Answer 1

It’s not safe unless the meat has previously been heated. The process of heating the meat is what kills bacteria and other harmful pathogens. If left cool long enough, meat that has already been heated will be exposed to new bacteria which will start using it as a food source and reproducing on it. Often, it is the “poop” of the bacteria that is toxic to humans. There is not enough time while the meat is in our mouthes for bacteria to reproduce and cause us harm.