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Questions about "ground meat" or "hamburger" have always been in the top five food
topics of calls to the USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline. Here are the most frequently asked questions.
What's the difference between "hamburger" and "ground beef"?
Beef fat may be added to "hamburger," but not "ground beef," if the meat is ground and
packaged at a USDA-inspected plant. A maximum of 30% fat by weight is allowed in either hamburger or
ground beef. Both hamburger and ground beef can have seasonings, but no water, phosphates, extenders,
or binders added. They must be labeled in accordance with Federal Standards and Labeling Policy and
marked with a USDA-inspected label.
Most ground beef is ground and packaged in local stores rather than in food processing plants under USDA
inspection. Even so, the Federal labeling laws on fat content apply. Most states and cities set standards
for store-packaged ground beef which, by law, cannot be less than Federal standards. If products in retail
stores were found to contain more than 30% fat by weight, they would be considered "adulterated"
under Federal law.
Is ground beef inspected and graded?
All meat transported and sold in interstate commerce must be federally inspected. The larger cuts are
usually shipped to local stores where they are ground. The Food Safety and Inspection Service carries
out USDA's responsibilities under the Federal Meat Inspection Act. These laws protect consumers by ensuring
that meat products are wholesome, unadulterated, and properly marked, labeled, and packaged.
For meat being transported and sold within a state, state inspection would apply. State inspection programs
must enforce requirements at least equal to those of Federal inspection laws.
Grades are assigned as a standard of quality only. It is voluntary for a company to hire a Federal inspector
to certify the quality of its product. Beef grades are USDA Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial,
Utility, Cutter, and Canner. They are set by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Most ground beef is
not graded.
From what cuts of beef are ground beef and hamburger made?
Generally, ground beef is made from the less tender and less popular cuts of beef. Trimmings from more
tender cuts may also be used. Grinding tenderizes the meat and the fat reduces its dryness and improves flavor.
What is the significance of the "Sell-By" date on the package?
"Sell-By" dates are a guide for retailers. Although many products bear "Sell-By" dates,
product dating is not a Federal requirement. While these dates are helpful to the retailer, they are
reliable only if the food has been kept at proper temperature during storage and handling. USDA suggests
that consumers cook or freeze ground beef within 2 days after purchase for maximum quality.
What is the safe food handling label now on meat and poultry packages?
A safe food handling label should be on all raw or partially precooked (not ready-to-eat) meat and poultry
packages. The label tells the consumer how to safely store, prepare, and handle raw meat and poultry
products in the home.
What kind of bacteria can be in ground beef? Are they dangerous?
Bacteria are everywhere in our environment. Any food of animal origin can harbor bacteria.
Pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7,
Campylobacter jejuni, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus, cause illness.
These harmful bacteria can not be seen or smelled.
When meat is ground, more of the meat is exposed to the harmful bacteria. Bacteria multiply rapidly in the
"Danger Zone" — temperatures between 40 and 140 °F. To keep bacterial levels low,
store ground beef at 40 °F or less and use within 2 days, or freeze. To destroy harmful bacteria, cook
ground beef to 160 °F.
Other bacteria cause spoilage. Spoilage bacteria are generally not harmful, but they will
cause food to deteriorate or lose quality by developing a bad odor or feeling sticky on the outside.
Why is the E. coli O157:H7 bacterium of special concern in ground beef?
E. coli O157:H7 can colonize in the intestines of animals, which could contaminate muscle meat
at slaughter.
O157:H7 is a strain of E. coli that produces large quantities of a potent toxin that forms in the
intestine and causes severe damage to the lining of the intestine. The disease produced by the bacteria is
called Hemorrhagic Colitis.
E. coli O157:H7 survive refrigerator and freezer temperatures. Once they get in food, they can
multiply very slowly at temperatures as low as 44 °F. The actual infectious dose is unknown, but most
scientists believe it takes only a small number of this strain of E. coli to cause serious illness
and even death, especially in children. It is killed by thorough cooking.
Illnesses caused by E. coli O157:H7 have been linked with the consumption of undercooked ground beef.
Raw milk, apple cider, dry cured sausage, and undercooked roast beef have also been implicated.
Can bacteria spread from one surface to another?
Yes. It is called cross-contamination. Bacteria in raw meat juices can contaminate foods that have been
cooked safely or raw foods that won't be cooked, such as salad ingredients. Bacteria can also be present
on equipment, hands, and even in the air.
To avoid cross-contamination, wash your hands with soap and hot water before and after handling ground beef
to make sure you don't spread bacteria. Don't reuse any packaging materials. Use soap and hot water to wash
utensils and surfaces which have come into contact with the raw meat. Don't put cooked hamburgers on the
same platter that held the raw patties.
What's the best way to handle raw ground beef when I buy it?
At the store, choose a package that is not torn and feels cold. If possible, enclose it in a plastic bag
so leaking juices won't drip on other foods. Make ground beef one of the last items to go into your shopping
cart. Separate raw meat from ready-cooked items in your cart. Have the clerk bag raw meat, poultry, and
fish separately from other items.
Plan to drive directly home from the grocery store. You may want to take a cooler with ice for perishables.
How should raw ground beef be stored at home?
Refrigerate or freeze ground beef as soon as possible after purchase. This preserves freshness and slows
growth of bacteria. It can be refrigerated or frozen in its original packaging if the meat will be used soon.
If refrigerated, keep at 40 °F or below and use within 1 or 2 days.
For longer freezer storage, wrap in heavy duty plastic wrap, aluminum foil, freezer paper, or plastic bags
made for freezing. Ground beef is safe indefinitely if kept frozen, but will lose quality over time. It is best
if used within 4 months. Mark your packages with the date they were placed in the freezer so you can keep
track of storage times.
What is the best way to thaw ground beef?
The best way to safely thaw ground beef is in the refrigerator. Keeping meat cold while it is defrosting
is essential to prevent growth of bacteria. Cook or refreeze it within 1 or 2 days.
To defrost ground beef more rapidly, you can defrost in the microwave oven or in cold water. If using the
microwave, cook the ground beef immediately because some areas may begin to cook during the defrosting.
To defrost in cold water, put the meat in a watertight plastic bag and submerge. Change the water every
30 minutes. Cook immediately. Do not refreeze ground meat thawed in cold water or in the microwave oven.
Never leave ground beef or any perishable food out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Is it dangerous to eat raw or undercooked ground beef?
Yes. Raw and undercooked meat may contain harmful bacteria. USDA recommends not eating or tasting raw or
undercooked ground beef. To be sure all bacteria are destroyed, cook meat loaf, meatballs, casseroles, and
hamburgers to 160 °F. Use a food thermometer to check that they have reached a safe internal temperature.
Are there people who are more at risk from eating ground beef that is undercooked or mishandled?
The very young, the very old, and those with immune systems that have been weakened by cancer, kidney disease,
and other illnesses are most at risk and vulnerable to illnesses associated with contaminated food. The
symptoms of foodborne illness — such as diarrhea or vomiting, which can cause dehydration — can be very
serious. Safe food handling practices at home or anywhere food is served is especially important for those in
the "at-risk" group.
Are microwaved hamburgers safe?
Yes, if cooked properly to destroy harmful bacteria. Since microwaves may not cook food as evenly as conventional
methods, covering hamburgers while cooking will help them heat more evenly. Turn each pattie over and rotate
midway through cooking. Allow patties to stand 1 or 2 minutes to complete cooking. Then use a food thermometer
to check that the internal temperature is 160 °F.
Is it safe to partially cook ground beef to use later?
No. Partial cooking of food ahead of time allows harmful bacteria to survive and multiply to the point
that subsequent cooking cannot destroy them.
Can I refrigerate or freeze leftover cooked hamburgers? How should they be reheated?
If ground beef is refrigerated promptly after cooking (within 2 hours; 1 hour if the temperature is above
90 °F), it can be safely refrigerated for about 3 or 4 days. If frozen, it should keep its quality for
about 4 months.
When reheating fully cooked patties or casseroles containing ground beef, be sure the internal temperature
reaches 165 °F or it is hot and steaming.
Why is pre-packaged ground beef red on the outside and sometimes dull, grayish-brown inside?
Oxygen from the air reacts with meat pigments to form a bright red color which is usually seen on the surface
of meat purchased in the supermarket. The pigment responsible for the red color in meat is oxymyoglobin,
a substance found in all warm-blooded animals. Fresh cut meat is purplish in color. The interior of the meat
may be grayish brown due to lack of oxygen; however, if all the meat in the package has turned gray or
brown, it may be beginning to spoil.
Why does ground beef release a lot of "juice" while cooking?
In making ground beef, some retail stores grind the meat while it is still frozen. Ice crystals in the
frozen meat break down the cell walls, permitting the release of meat juices during cooking. The same thing
happens after ground meat is frozen at home.
What causes ground beef patties to shrink while cooking?
All meat will shrink in size and weight during cooking. The amount of shrinkage will depend on its fat and
moisture content, the temperature at which the meat is cooked, and how long it is cooked. Basically,
the higher the cooking temperature, the greater the shrinkage. Cooking ground beef at moderate temperatures
will reduce shrinkage and help retain juices and flavor. Overcooking draws out more fat and juices from
ground beef, resulting in a dry, less tasty product.
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July 2002 |
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