A cooked burger that is pink on the inside is safe to eat as long as the internal temperature of the patty does not exceed 140°F (60°C), according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, if the burger is cooked to a pinkish-red color, the FDA warns that it is not safe for consumption.
The pink color is caused by the presence of a preservative called bovine growth hormone (BGH), which is found in beef, pork and lamb. BGH has been linked to cancer and other health problems in humans and animals, and is banned in the European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and the United States. In addition, it has also been shown to cause birth defects in laboratory animals.
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Why is my ground beef still pink after cooking?
Carbon monoxide can be released from inefficient burning of gas flames in gas grills or ovens. This can combine with myoglobin in meat, causing it to retain its pink color even after it has been cooked.
If you have a gas grill, you can reduce the risk of this problem by using a charcoal grill. Charcoal burns at a much lower temperature than gas, so it doesn’t produce the same amount of smoke. However, it is still a good idea to use charcoal when cooking meat.
What happens if you eat undercooked ground beef?
Eating undercooked ground beef is one of the main causes of E. coli, which can cause symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these symptoms occur between two and eight days after eating contaminated food.
Is it okay to eat pinkish meat?
If the fresh meat is a steak, roast or chop, then yes — medium-rare can be safe. The meat needs to stand for at least three or more minutes before cutting or consuming. It is not possible to guarantee the safety of a fresh cut of meat.
“If you’re going to eat it, you need to know that it’s safe,” said Dr. David Katz, director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
What happens if you eat slightly pink burger?
Burgers served rare or undercooked may contain harmful bacteria that could cause food poisoning (Opens in a new window). Before serving your burgers, make sure they are steaming hot all the way through.
How can you tell if ground beef is undercooked?
The ground beef cooks quickly. Depending on the base of your pan and the amount of meat, it doesn’t need more than 5 minutes. Take a piece and slice it open. It’s done if it’s brown inside and not red or pink. If you want to make it a little more tender, you can add a bit more oil to the pan, but don’t overdo it.
You want it to be a nice golden brown on all sides. I like to add about 1/4 cup of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper to my pan before I add the meat. This will help it cook more evenly and keep it from getting too brown.
