can you get food poisoning from cooked bacon

Can You Get Food Poisoning from Cooked Bacon? How to Cook and Store Bacon Safely

Crispy savory bacon is a staple breakfast food for many people. But improper cooking and storage can introduce risks. One question bacon lovers often have is – can you get food poisoning from cooked bacon?

While raw pork products like bacon can harbor harmful bacteria, thoroughly cooking it is supposed to eliminate the danger. However, food poisoning from cooked bacon can occur if it’s not handled properly before and after cooking.

In this article we’ll look at how food poisoning happens proper safety measures when cooking bacon, symptoms to watch for, and steps to store cooked bacon safely. With the right techniques, you can enjoy bacon while minimizing the chances of illness.

How Does Food Poisoning Happen with Bacon?

Foodborne illnesses like salmonella, E. coli, and listeria are usually caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxins transmitted through contaminated food or water.

With bacon, illness can occur in two ways:

• Undercooked bacon – Harmful bacteria present in raw pork can survive if bacon is not cooked to a high enough internal temperature to destroy them. Consuming undercooked bacon can lead to food poisoning.

• Cross-contamination – Bacteria from raw bacon can be transferred to other foods, surfaces, and utensils If these contaminated items are not properly cleaned, the bacteria can then be ingested, causing sickness

To avoid food poisoning, it’s important to handle raw bacon carefully, cook it thoroughly, and prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen.

Can Pre-Cooked, Ready-to-Eat Bacon Make You Sick?

Pre-cooked bacon that is pre-packaged and ready-to-eat may seem like a convenient shortcut. But there are still risks associated with these bacon products if they are not handled properly:

• Listeria – This bacteria can grow even in the refrigerator. A listeria outbreak from pre-cooked bacon led to a recall in 2020. Proper heating is required before consumption.

• Storage temperature – Pre-cooked bacon must be kept refrigerated at 40°F or below and discarded if left at room temperature too long.

• Double cooking – For safety, pre-cooked bacon should be heated a second time before eating to destroy any bacteria that may be present.

So while pre-cooked bacon eliminates the need to fry raw pork yourself, it still requires careful storage and reheating to avoid any lingering pathogens that could cause food poisoning. Don’t assume ready-to-eat also means ready-to-eat without proper handling.

What are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning from Bacon?

Common symptoms of food poisoning include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Headache

Severe symptoms that require prompt medical treatment:

• Bloody stool
• Inability to keep liquids down
• High fever
• Signs of dehydration

Symptoms from toxoplasmosis, trichinosis or other pork-related illnesses also vary but can be serious if not treated quickly. See a doctor right away if you experience concerning symptoms after eating bacon.

How Can Bacon Be Cooked Safely to Avoid Food Poisoning?

Proper cooking is key to reducing the risk of foodborne illness from bacon. Here are some tips:

• Get a meat thermometer – Cook bacon to 145°F internal temperature or until crispy. Use a food thermometer to verify doneness.

• Pan fry thoroughly – Fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until both sides are browned and crispy.

• Bake until crispy – Bake bacon uncovered on a foil-lined sheet pan in the oven at 400°F, flipping once, until browned and sizzling.

• Microwave with care – Microwaved bacon can lead to undercooked spots. Use a lower power level and cook it in batches. Check for doneness.

• Avoid undercooking – Partially cooked, rubbery, or soft bacon may not have reached temps hot enough to destroy bacteria. Cook it until crispy.

Cooking bacon until crispy provides visual confirmation that it has reached the safe internal temperature to destroy illness-causing pathogens.

What are Some Tips for Storing Cooked Bacon Safely?

Since cooked bacon is perishable, proper storage prevents spoilage and food poisoning. Here are some storage guidelines:

• Refrigerate cooked bacon within 2 hours – at 40°F or below. Do not leave sit out.

• Store cooked bacon 3-5 days maximum in the fridge. Freeze for longer storage.

• Seal cooked bacon in airtight containers or bags, avoiding contact with raw meats.

• Freeze bacon up to 1 month for best quality. Portion into pieces before freezing.

• Mark date cooked on frozen bacon packages and use within 2 months.

• Do not thaw frozen bacon at room temperature. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight instead.

• Discard bacon that smells bad, is slimy, or has an off color. Do not taste questionable bacon.

By promptly refrigerating and freezing leftovers, you can enjoy cooked bacon safely for days to come.

How Can You Prevent Food Poisoning from Bacon?

Some top tips for preventing food poisoning from bacon include:

• Choose fresh bacon before the sell-by date and refrigerate promptly

• Inspect raw bacon carefully and discard if it has an off smell, slimy texture or discoloration

• Wash hands, countertops, utensils after handling raw bacon to avoid cross-contamination

• Cook bacon thoroughly until it reaches the minimum safe internal temperature of 145°F confirmed with a food thermometer

• Let bacon rest 1-2 minutes before eating to allow heat to evenly distribute and complete cooking

• Refrigerate or freeze cooked bacon within 2 hours and store no more than 3-5 days in the fridge

• When reheating, cook pre-cooked bacon again until steaming to 165°F internal temperature

Following safe handling, cooking, and storage guidelines for bacon reduces the risk of food poisoning while still allowing you to enjoy this tasty pork product.

Can You Safely Eat Bacon?

Bacon is a delicious breakfast meat that can be safely enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. While no food is 100% risk-free, you can eat bacon safely by:

• Purchasing bacon before its sell-by date from reputable sources

• Visually inspecting raw bacon and cooking thoroughly until crispy

• Using a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature reaches 145°F

• Preventing cross-contamination with other foods when prepping raw bacon

• Refrigerating cooked bacon promptly in sealed containers

• Reheating pre-cooked bacon to 165°F before consuming

• Freezing extras and labelling packages with dates

With proper handling and cooking, bacon lovers can continue enjoying this tasty treat as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. While food poisoning is possible if precautions aren’t taken, following safety guidelines can help minimize risks.

So cook up that bacon, keep foods separate, store it properly, and have a fork ready to dig into delicious crispy bacon strips!