What happens if you eat bad pork? We’ve all heard horror stories about people who have eaten bad pork and ended up in the hospital.
But what happens to your body if you eat tainted pork?
This blog post will discuss the dangers of eating bad pork and what to do if you think you might have ingested some. Stay safe and enjoy your next meal.
When pork goes bad, it can cause various illnesses in humans. The most common illness caused by bad pork is trichinosis, caused by the consumption of Trichinella spiralis larvae.
Symptoms of trichinosis include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and muscle pain and weakness. If left untreated, trichinosis can lead to death.
How To Tell If Pork Has Gone Bad
A bad cut of pork may cause havoc on your digestive system. Fortunately, bad pork may be easily identified with a quick visual check.
The Appearance of the Pork
When pork is beyond its prime, you may notice that it has a dull hue and may seem greyish.
The interior may still be pink, but if you see any dulling or grey, it’s time to trash it.
Fresh pork will be pink in hue, darker than chicken but lighter than beef. White fat marbling will be present.
Another sign that food has been ruined is if it seems yellowish.
Note: This applies to pork loins, pork chops, and any other pig cuts you can think of.
The Texture
When you purchase pork and remove it from the packaging, you may discover that it is damp to the touch. This is quite normal.
However, if it seems slimy, your pork is contaminated and will make you sick if consumed. Another sign that it has passed is if it is dry or mushy.
Fresh pork should be moist yet firm to the touch. Similar to chicken breast.
Smell the Pork
When you open the box, you should always sniff it to check if you detect anything nasty. If your pork is still edible, there will be little to no odor.
If you get an odor, you want it to be fresh and not sour.
You should not cook your pork if it has an ammonia odor, an unpleasant or sour stench, or any other unpleasant or sour odor.
How Long Does Pork Stay Good?
Fresh, uncooked pork may be kept refrigerated for three to five days, roughly the same amount of time as other meats.
This is true regardless of whether the dish is a roast or pork chops.
Raw meat pork should only be refrigerated for 48 hours after it has been prepared. Refrigerate any pork dishes for 3 to 4 days after being prepared before being served.
What Happens If You Eat Bad Pork Chops?
Bacteria grow and spread in spoiled pork because it provides the ideal environment to thrive.
Eating such pork may result in either a direct illness or a poisonous by-product generated by germs and bacteria that you would then have to suffer from.
The most common culprit found in pork include:
- Trichinosis
- Salmonella
- E. coli
- Staphylococcus
- Toxoplasmosis.
The Disease Trichinosis (Food Poisoning)
Trichinosis is a food-borne illness caused by consuming raw or undercooked meats, specifically pig products infected with a specific worm called trichinella spiralis.
Digestion breaks away the larvae’s hard outer shell, releasing the adult worms.
The worms subsequently create larvae, which settle in bodily tissues, particularly muscle. Anyone, regardless of age or health situation, is vulnerable.
Salmonella and E. coli
Bad pork can also contain other harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli.
These bacteria can cause serious illness; Salmonella is spread from one person’s or animal’s feces to another person’s or animal’s feces.
Contaminated foods are often of animal origin.
On the other hand, E. coli is a species of bacterium found in the intestines. It may also be found in the intestines of certain animals.
Tip: It's important to cook pork thoroughly to kill any harmful bacteria. If you're unsure whether pork is cooked properly, err on the side of caution and don't eat it.
Toxoplasmosis.
Pork that has been contaminated with bacteria can also cause toxoplasmosis.
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that can be dangerous for pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of toxoplasmosis include;
You may experience severe gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea if you eat bad pork.
In some cases, these symptoms can lead to dehydration and even death.
Staphylococcus
Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
Symptoms of staphylococcus aureus food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you experience these symptoms after eating pork, seek medical attention immediately.
Pork Food Poisoning Symptoms
These symptoms may persist anywhere from 7 to 45 days, although they commonly present 8 to 14 days after eating contaminated pork.
Milder forms are sometimes confused with the flu or other common infections. This may be fatal in difficult situations.
Diarrhea
Eating bad pork may cause diarrhea, which can lead to significant consequences.
Diarrhea may cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and kidney failure (when your kidneys don’t get enough fluid).
You lose water and electrolytes along with your feces when you have diarrhea.
To replace what has been lost, you must drink enough water. Dehydration may be dangerous if it does not resolve.
Constipation
Consuming bad pork may also lead to Constipation. This occurs when your colon absorbs excessive water from waste, causing the stool to become firm and hard to push out from the body.
Food may travel too slowly through the digestive system if you have Constipation.
This provides the colon with too much time to soak water from the waste. The stool hardens, gets dry, and becomes difficult to push out.
Fever
A fever is a higher-than-normal body temperature. It’s a symptom of your body’s natural defense against illness, which can be caused by eating bad pork.
Muscle Soreness
Musculoskeletal discomfort may be caused by more than one chronic illness, such as arthritis. Bad pork may also harm your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
A fracture, for example, might result in excruciating agony.
Speak with a healthcare physician if musculoskeletal discomfort interferes with your normal activities. The appropriate therapy might help you get rid of your discomfort.
Other Symptoms that May Arise Include:
- Excessive fatigue
- Sweating excessively
- Chills
- Thirst
- Eye swelling
The following are severe symptoms cases:
- Coordinating motions is difficult.
- Muscle inflammation of the heart
- Breathing difficulties
Pork FAQs
Do you have any other questions concerning what happens if you eat bad pork? Here are some other commonly asked questions about bad pork.
What Should I Do If I Suspect I Ate Tainted Pork?
Drinking enough fluids to replace those lost due to vomiting and diarrhea is the therapy. You may buy sachets that function as a fluid replacement.
These include electrolytes and any other critical vitamins/minerals that were lost during your sickness.
Is It Possible to Boil Odorous Pork?
Fresh meat has almost little odor. Flesh undergoes chemical and structural changes as it degrades, which alters the aroma of the meat.
The meat is bad if it smells like fish, sulfur, ammonia, or gas. It should not be cooked or eaten.
How Long Can You Keep Sealed Pork in the Fridge?
In brief, given the correct circumstances, vacuum-sealed meat such as beef and veal may survive six weeks.
Pork will keep for at least two weeks, while poultry and fish will keep for one week.
Final Verdict
So, what happens if you eat bad pork? There you have it. Eating bad pork can lead to some pretty unpleasant consequences.
So next time you’re handling pork, be sure to cook it thoroughly and avoid cross-contamination.
And if you’re not sure whether the pork is cooked correctly, err on the side of caution and don’t eat it. Your stomach will thank you later.