Although the internet is our main source of information for everything under the sun today, we still have to be wary. We are likely to come across websites that give wrong information. This is especially true for online communities like online forums and question and answer websites. Validate answers that are given to your queries that seem unlikely true. Here’s one example: can you eat raw hot dogs? What do you think? Some people would say you can, it is perfectly safe—because hot dogs are already cooked before they leave the factory.
Well, here is the truth.
Yes, It is true— hot dogs are pre-cooked.
After the hot dogs get their final form (enclosed in individual casings), they are moved and conveyed to a smokehouse before being packed. A smokehouse is a place or facility where meat products like hot dogs are cured with smoke.
Learn how hot dogs are made.
Generally, hot dogs undergo smoking at a temperature of 109°F (42°C) to 160° (71°C) and smoking could last for a few hours up to a several days. The requirements vary according to the type of meat and moisture content. The temperature and humidity in a smokehouse are well monitored.
The process of smoking has several ways of preserving meat. Aside from the high temperature, the chemical compounds (such as formaldehyde) present in wood smoke have the capacity to fight microbial growth. Several smoke sources can be used, including hardwood, oak, and hickory. Smoking also dehydrates the surface of meat.
After smoking, the hot dogs are subsequently cooked. There are several ways to achieve this.
- Submerging the hot dogs in a large cooking vat. The cooking water is maintained at 163°F(73°C)–168°F(76°C).
- Dry heating in the smokehouse.
- Hot showering in the smokehouse. The water sprayed through nozzles is maintained at 176°F (80°C)–179°F (82°C).
- Cooking using steam in containers.
When you think about it, hot dogs go through several preservation methods.
But It is not okay to eat hot dogs raw
Once the hot dogs are made, it is made sure that they are stored in a low temperature environment to keep it from spoiling. However, it doesn’t mean that they can be eaten right out of the package cold. Yes, hot dogs are totally cooked. But like other ready-to-eat (RTD) foods, eating them without reheating or cooking increases the risk of listeriosis.
What is listeriosis?
Listeriosis is an infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogenic bacteria that can withstand low temperatures (a psychrophile). Temperature below their optimum only decreases the enzyme activity in bacteria, not kill them. RTD foods like dairy products and deli meats like hot dogs are common breeding grounds of L. monocytogenes.
Some people think that food poisoning isn’t a serious matter since most patients recover from it easily without medical treatment. This isn’t true. Yes, food poisoning usually results in flu-like symptoms, but it can still be fatal. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, about 260 people die every year in the U.S. from listeriosis alone.
L. monocytogenes is one of the 7 most common bacteria that cause food borne illnesses.
The risk of infection of listeriosis is even higher to those with weak immunity (especially the young ones, pregnant women, and the elderly) or those with existing health issues.
Bear in mind that contaminated products usually do not manifest signs like foul odor, slimy feel or discoloration. So better be safe. Especially when serving hot dogs for the hot dog-loving kids. Always reheat hot dogs, whichever is possible—grilled, steamed, or fried.
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