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May 2013 Moms
Babycakes33
member
Please help: Listeria/ Bacon Food Question
Babycakes33
member
Hello,
I am new to the bump and I have a serious question for anyone who has or does work in the restaurant industry. I know all about heating deli and luncheon meats, no raw meats, pasteruized milk and cheese, and reheating cooked food to 165 degrees. Yesterday I went to a local diner turned family-style restaurant that hosts private parties and entertainment too. I have never had a problem anytime we went. In addition, I normally do not eat meat products. However, pregnancy has a different idea and after a month of fighting a bacon craving, I decided to give in. When the bacon arrived, it was cooked thru and very crispy. You could barely even tell bar where the fat was. However, my food was not hot, it was warm. So I had the server reheat it. My husband's food was great. He also tried the bacon and said it was hot. After my food came back great and I ate the whole thing, I decided to give into the bacon. Which was wonderful, cold because it was at the table for twenty minutes. I forgot how good it tasted and as I said; crispy, cooked, not oily. I was fine until later my friend said she thought the bacon was reheated from earlier. She did not have any, this was her later opinion. I kind of got scared and thought she may be right because one of the pieces was very, very cooked and there was no oil. As I said, I haven't had meat in years. Then I started thinking bacon takes a while to cook, I think a restaurant may pre-cook something like bacon and serve it. Of course I called the restaurant and spoke to the manager, who told me bacon is made-to-order there. But I decided to do my own research on pre-heated cooked meats in case she was not telling me the truth. After a long search, I was unable to obtain a clear answer even from the USDA and CDC about pre-heated cooked meats, not deli meats. I know they have to reheated at 165 like when they were cooked. The USDA said it is safe to eat pre-coooked bacon cold (WHAT?!?). Then it said if you wish you can heat in microwave on medium heat for a few seconds. That does not seem long enough to kill any bacteria that may have grown in cook meats.
My question is Does anyone work in the restaurants who know of how they typically reheat meats? A long time ago I worked in a restaurant that served bacon on salads and I don't remember reheating the bacon. I know this question my sound crazy, but I am looking for more of a piece of mind, so I don't continue on the internet and never get a clear answer.
P.S. I am not crazy LOL. I have a strong baby growing in me, but we have had our share of scares these last 6 months (car accident, random bleeding, UTI)
I just don't want one more scare because stress is the worst.
Thank you for any and all information.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Please help: Listeria/ Bacon Food Question
I worked in a breakfast style restaurant when I was in college and if someone wanted something "heated" up it was usually popped into the microwave.
If old, cold bacon is an issue then I have a serious problem because two days ago I made "bacon bits" from crispy bacon and ate it the next day.
Listeria not only comes from cold cuts/meats, it can come from lettuce, broccoli, there was even a listeria scare on cakes from a popular food super market a few months ago.
Please try to calm down. Your bacon was fine- it was definitely fully cooked. It doesn't matter what temperature you eat it at or what temperature it was served at- fully cooking the bacon killed the listeria (if there even was any....which, despite the hysteria, is actually pretty rare). If food is left out for a while, it's not like listeria suddenly notices a temperature change and "jumps onto" the food.
Don't worry about your bacon! And don't worry so much about eating meat...meat is good for you in moderation. Next time you want some bacon or have a craving for food that can be incorporated into your existing healthy diet, just make it at home if it will end up worrying you.
Happy eating and I'm glad you have a healthy baby!
Also bacon isn't technically processed meat.
[[don't mention nitrates, don't mention nitrates]]
I think you're fine.
Mentioning nitrates, when I was pregnant with DD all I wanted was a hot dog! When I finally gave in, that was the best hot dog EVER!
Mmmmmm....hot dogs. I was a vegetarian for a year (just to see if I could do it), and I totally lost all resolve at a backyard BBQ once the hot dogs hit the grill. Classy, right?
Hahaha dude, bacteria are smart... don't underestimate if they know when to jump onto the below 165 degree food. They know.
I have a weakened sense of self-control! Don't tempt me to eat hot dogs!!
Hahahaha. One of my good friends was a boyfriend-induced vegan for 5 years. She lost all control one day at the ballpark and ate 4 hotdogs...and was seriously ill for days. She is a continued meat eater. :-) Hotdogs can get the best of us!
ETA: This was supposed to quote Allie...
BFP#1 5/18/12. MMC @ 8 weeks. Measuring 6w5d. MC naturally 6/29/12. Forever loved.
I have definitely eaten pounds of bacon during this pregnancy.
Yep, I said it. POUNDS.
Listeria is only a risk, not a guarantee, when you cross the line and indulge in things like cold lunch meats, unpasteurized dairy or eggs, seafood, or whatever. Your risk is 20 times higher than normal, but normal is still really low.
If its causing you distress just avoid the risks going forward, but I'm sure you're just fine.