Is this safe?

Question

My friend is slow-cooking pork ribs in the oven at 200 degrees F for about 4-6 hours. I am concerned because I thought that meats had to be cooked at a certain steady temperature for the bacteria to be killed. I don't want to eat any because I am about 8 weeks pregnant and I don't want to ingest anything that could harm my baby. Can someone enlighten me please.

Answer 1

It should be okay... because the ribs are cooking at 200F.

1. Most harmful bacteria is typically on the suface of the food and killed at 130 to 140 F... since the ribs are cooking at 200F then any surface bacteria is killed.

2. Also, the rib meat itself is relatively thin before the bone, so the meat should reach bacteria killing temperature within an hour, if not sooner.

3. As long as the ribs are cooked to an internal temp of greater than 160F, which it should be after 4 to 6 hours I expect it close to falling off the bone, then all is good.

4. This is assuming the ribs were handled properly before going into the oven... refrigerated and not sitting on the counter in front of a sunny window for 4 or more hours before going in the oven.

Answer 2

The thing you have to worry about with pork is the parasite trichinosis, which is destroyed at 130 degrees.Usually, anything above 140 degrees will kill any bacteria in the meat. It won't hurt the baby if you eat it. ENJOY!

Answer 3

This is actually very common. It's how I cook my ribs (recipe from the KC Masterpiece restaurant in KC) before I finish them on the grill. The internal temperature of the meat is what is important. They will be more than cooked through.

Answer 4

I think this should be fine I understand your concerns completely but lots of foods are cooked this way however if you feel any misgivings about food prepared this way by all means eat something else I had a list of things a mile long that I wouldn't eat when I was pregnant your friend will understand.

Answer 5

200 degrees is fine for any meat. Poultry requires 180 degrees and that is the most dangerous meat to eat under cooked.

Answer 6

any thing that is slow cooked takes 4-6 hours to make.. that is the average temp of your on the counter slow cooker it will be cooked don't worrie about it..

Answer 7

as long as the temp inside the meat reached 160 then you are fine......cooking temp does not matter, just the temp the meat reaches.....slow cooking the ribs just takes longer and keeps the meat more tender and better tasting.....you will be fine....I slow cook just about every type of ribs I make and my wife ate them both times she was prego....no problems....don't worry

Answer 8

If you don't feel safe eating it, don't eat it! However this is how a lot of people cook their pork ribs (we do it that way at work!) low and slow is the key for tender pork ribs. It is safe.