Uh oh, raw hamburger!

[Begonia]

Stupid and silly accident.

I sliced up an orange and a cuke on a chopping board that likely had raw hamburger on it from the night before. It appeared clean and was on our counter top. My son left it out when he made some burgers the night before. It was in the spot where we put it on the counter for use. It was a silly, stupid series of events. We had a long talk as a family and cleared up the procedural stuff for dealing with raw meat (which we’ve already done but like I said, a stupid accident). However...

I made a smoothie with the fruits before I knew, and my husband and I drank a few mouthfuls. Now I’m concerned about food poisoning. It was fresh ground beef from our local store. The board was dry and I didn’t see any residue. Later as I washed it, and rehydrated the board, I may have seen some.

Of course we are on high alert, but can anyone offer some reassurance? We’ve always taken raw meat extremely seriously in our family and then this happened. Argh.

 

[Arcadian]

You will likely be fine, signs of food poisoning show up in about 6 for about 2 days. You will know if you have it because both ends will be mighty busy (this is experience talking!). But sounds to me like you're beyond that window.

My bout of food poisoning came from tuna casserole that had been in the refrigerator a few too many days. It was a hospital event but not a long one. Can't touch the stuff to this day.

Would not worry about it much. just make sure to clean up with a little dab of bleach next time.

 

[Hayley87]

Raw beef—even ground beef—is less scary than raw chicken. After all, people eat steak tartare regularly! Sure, the trace amounts of meat and/or juices that you may have consumed were left out, but it’s not as if your son left the cutting board in a toasty, moist sauna. Moisture was likely to evaporate, and bugs need moisture to breed. And, if we’re being honest, any non-organic meat nowadays is chock-full of antibiotics to begin with.

Ideal? No. Smack your son upside the head. But juices from fresh meat, left to dry overnight, are less dangerous than undercooked or spoiled food left in a buffet warmer. And if it was fresh meat from the store, I’m sure you’ll be fine. Any mild nausea you feel is more likely to be caused by worrying about the whole thing.

Speaking of spoiled food left in a buffet warmer (I’m looking at you, IKEA Swedish meatball gravy ), if you DO get food poisoning and end up, erm, expelling for more than a couple hours, the ER can patch you up just fine.

 

[Begonia]

Thanks for the feedback! It’s really helping ease my mind. It was drummed into my head about raw meat and I thought I had done enough talking/educating my boys about cross contamination. Guess not

No signs with either of us yet, so here’s hoping. I’m still pretty grossed out.

 

[arkieb1]

Ground beef on the chopping board dried is a lot less likely to make you sick than raw chicken or fish.

 

[Maisie]

That is totally the kind of thing my number 4 child would do. He’s seriously a hazard to have around. I would be worried too but I’m willing to bet you will be just fine. Your son on the other hand needs a quick wallop!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

You'll be fine (hehe says the woman who has eaten all manner of dodgy things and has been as right as rain).

In my culture we have this raw pork dish that is "cooked" by fermentation. It is left to ferment at room temp and is the creepiest thing you can think of but I've eaten it for decades and have never been sick! Some people think the raw pork is step too far so they make it with beef instead! Lol hope that makes you feel better!

I also eat LOTS of steak tartare! Never gotten sick! Even when I ate huge serves of the stuff with a raw yolk and all!

 

[mochiko42]

I've eaten chicken tataki in Japan and steak tartar in France several times and never gotten sick. I wouldn't worry too much about it unless there are clear signs of food poisoning.

 

[doberman]

You're really not likely to get sick. Bacteria tend to like moisture and the board had been out all night drying. The odds are in your favor as the saying goes.

 

[House Cat]

Most likely you will be ok. You would probably already be feeling something. If anything, you might get some mild stomach upset. Do you have probiotics around the house? If so, it probably wouldn’t hurt to take some to help with that.

I’m kind of thinking if the meat didn’t make you sick then there probably wasn’t any E.coli present. So you should be ok.

 

[Missy]

Most likely you will be ok. You would probably already be feeling something. If anything, you might get some mild stomach upset. Do you have probiotics around the house? If so, it probably wouldn’t hurt to take some to help with that.

I’m kind of thinking if the meat didn’t make you sick then there probably wasn’t any E.coli present. So you should be ok.

Speaking of E. Coli my DH read about an E. Coli outbreak associated with Romaine lettuce. Which is a bummer as I love Romaine. Just wanted to let you know about it in case it pertains to anyone here.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/heal...aine-lettuce-consumer-reports-advises-n834581

@Begonia hope you and your family remain ok and this latest worry turns out to be nothing to worry about. Fingers crossed.

 

[lyra]

To avoid this in the future you could get a coloured cutting board that is used only for meat, and everyone uses it. Or the kids use it. Hope you won't get sick.

 

[Begonia]

Over 30 hours and no symptoms!

Thanks for the feedback everyone - I was pretty worried.

 

[Begonia]

Hi Missie!!

Thank you
All ok with you?

 

[Missy]

Hi Missie!!

Thank you
All ok with you?

I'm hanging in there sweetie. Thanks for asking. No answers yet but hey I am still happy and not letting it define me if you kwim. How are you doing? I hope you are still not in pain or suffering from your other health issues. Sending you hugs and healing vibes.