UGH! My kid just ate a RAW HAMBURGER!

[TruBlu]

We got take-out for dinner tonight. I didn't notice until he only had a couple of bites left, but DS7's burger was raw in the middle. I'm not talking just a little pink - it was red!!!!!! Should I call the restaurant? What should I do?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

It's called rare, and it won't hurt him one bit...

 

[OK!]

I'd definitely call the restaurant to complain so they can make sure they check out their grill or whatever they're using to cook the hamburger. Maybe it's not functioning correctly, or maybe they have somebody new running it or something.

I hope your child's feeling OK!

 

[rie'smom]

It sounds extra rare and shouldn't cause harm. If you order from them again, tell them about tonight and that you want the burgers thoroughly cooked .
I wouldn't call.

 

[OK!]

It's called rare, and it won't hurt him one bit...

Most takeout places (at least around here) aren't permitted to serve hamburger raw (or rare, or anything less than medium, as far as I know), however.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Most takeout places (at least around here) aren't permitted to serve hamburger raw (or rare, or anything less than medium, as far as I know), however.

I agree, it was a mistake, but I wouldn't worry about the DS' health. I might call to let them know - but that is about it.

I like my beef rare. I don't want a pet to bring home, but close...

 

[binny]

It's called rare, and it won't hurt him one bit...

um yeah it could its called higher chances of e coli, salmonella, and exposure to any number of other bacteria.

Im sure he will be ok OP but I would be calling the restaurant to make them aware of it.


I would also just watch him for a few days and document the day on the calendar. yes it can sound paranoid but *if* he gets sick to his stomach every mom knows the days (and nights) pass in a blur. Ive taken to writing the first day of my kids illness on the calendar so I know when to worry and I can give the Dr a better idea of when it started.

 

[DawnCt1]

It's called rare, and it won't hurt him one bit...

Hamburger should never be served rare. The internal temperature cannot reach the degrees needed to kill E coli. I remember lecturing DS#3 when he was about 16 to be SURE he was cooking his hamburgers on the grill thoroughly. One morning he woke us up. It seems the toilet was full of blood. He tested positive for E-coli ( I forgot the number) DH started him on an antibiotic immediately. When the infection is severe enough, antibiotics don't work. Luckily DS responded to treatment. It was a reportable infection. That was the year that children were dying of e-coli. ALWAYS cook hamburger thoroughly, and to the OP, I would notify management of the restaurant and I would notify the local health dept in case your child gets sick.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

um yeah it could its called higher chances of e coli, salmonella, and exposure to any number of other bacteria...

You know that cooking burgers well done introduces many, many carcinogens into the meat, right?

There are dangers in this world. Some are not serious enough to worry about...

 

[OK!]

I agree, it was a mistake, but I wouldn't worry about the DS' health. I might call to let them know - but that is about it.

I like my beef rare. I don't want a pet to bring home, but close...

I'm totally with you for steak, but never hamburger. I'm too paranoid about e. coli.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Can you nuke it and let him finish eating it??

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I'm totally with you for steak, but never hamburger. I'm too paranoid about e. coli.

I understand. We cook them medium well for our boys because of that. But I would never eat a burger if it had to be cooked well done for me to do it. Nasty...

 

[mudman]

Was it a childrens meal? Every kids bUrger meal we've ever ordered is always cooked well, in fact, they NEVER ask how yoU want a kids bUrger prepared becaUse it shoUld always be cooked well.

I'd definitly call, maybe it was a new cook who needs to be told to be more carefUl.

 

[binny]

You know that cooking burgers well done introduces many, many carcinogens into the meat, right?

There are dangers in this world. Some are not serious enough to worry about...

Sorry dont buy it. I was in Spokane in the late 80's and one of the kids from our church died in the first huge e coli outbreak.

Ill take REAL worries like that over carcinogens in cooked meat any day. thanks though. Ill determine what I think is something worthy to worry about.

 

[Bluestars]

Ground beef should always be cooked until it is brown all of the way through and the juices are not red. The reason you can eat a steak rare is because when the outside is cooked, it kills the bacteria. However, since hamburger is ground beef, the contaminated beef can be all through the hamburger, so the hamburger needs to be cooked thoroughly.

Even the spatula used to handle raw meat should not be the same one used to take if off the grill. So, if you eat steak rare, no problem as long as the outside is cooked. But if you eat hamburger rare, you are taking a risk. I hope nobody feeds rare hamburger to children.

I would call the restaurant and let them know.

 

[disykat]

You know that cooking burgers well done introduces many, many carcinogens into the meat, right?

There are dangers in this world. Some are not serious enough to worry about...

I literally gasped out loud when I read your last sentence. E coli is VERY serious. Maybe you need to know someone who has almost died from it to believe it?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Sorry dont buy it. I was in Spokane in the late 80's and one of the kids from our church died in the first huge e coli outbreak.

Ill take REAL worries like that over carcinogens in cooked meat any day. thanks though. Ill determine what I think is something worthy to worry about.

LOL - of course you will. I never suggested otherwise. I was simply saying that I don't worry about this when I prepare burgers for myself.

You need a chill pill or something...

 

[Bluestars]

I wanted to add that I have also read that burnt meat has carcinogens. So, it's best to eat it cooked all the way through, but not burnt.

 

[binny]

LOL - of course you will. I never suggested otherwise. I was simply saying that I don't worry about this when I prepare burgers for myself.

You need a chill pill or something...

wow. ok. You dont know me at all do you?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

wow. ok. You dont know me at all do you?

How would I know you? And how is that relevant?