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NUTRITION

Evidence Based


PORK INTERNAL TEMPERATURE: HOW TO SAFELY COOK PORK


Medically reviewed by Amy Richter, RD, Nutrition — By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD —
Updated on March 23, 2022
 * Health concerns
 * Measuring temperature
 * Guidelines
 * Resting time
 * Other tips
 * Bottom line

Cooking meat to the correct temperature is vital regarding food safety. When it
comes to cooking pork, the right temperature depends on the type of pork cut
you’re cooking.

This is essential for both preventing parasitic infections and reducing your
risk of food poisoning and foodborne illness.



Pork is especially prone to infection, and changing practices within the food
industry over the last decade have led to new guidelines on pork preparation.

Here’s how to safely cook pork to prevent negative side effects and symptoms.


HEALTH CONCERNS ABOUT UNDERCOOKED PORK

Trichinella spiralis is a type of parasitic roundworm found in many omnivorous
and carnivorous animal species around the world — including pigs (1Trusted
Source).

Animals can acquire this parasite after eating other animals or scraps of meat
that contain it.

The worms grow in the intestine of the host and then produce larvae that pass
through the bloodstream and become trapped in the muscle (2Trusted Source).

Eating undercooked pork that is carrying Trichinella spiralis can lead to
trichinosis, an infection that causes food poisoning symptoms like diarrhea,
stomach cramps, muscle pain, and fever (3Trusted Source).

Fortunately, improvements in hygiene, laws related to waste disposal, and
preventive measures designed to protect against infection have led to
significant reductions in the prevalence of trichinosis within the last 50 years
(4Trusted Source).

In fact, only 13 cases of trichinellosis were reported to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2015 — substantially fewer than in the
past (5Trusted Source).

For comparison, it’s estimated that around 400 cases of trichinellosis were
reported to the CDC each year in the 1940s (2Trusted Source).

Despite the decline in the incidence of trichinosis, proper cooking is still
crucial to reduce the risk of infection.

Cooking pork can also prevent foodborne illness caused by strains of bacteria
such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria, and Yersinia enterocolitica. These
bacteria can cause fever, chills, and digestive distress (6Trusted Source).

> summary
> 
> Eating pork that carries Trichinella spiralis can cause trichinosis. While
> improvements in the food industry have reduced the risk of infection,
> thoroughly cooking pork is still critical for preventing foodborne illness.

HOW TO MEASURE TEMPERATURE

Using a digital meat thermometer is the easiest and most effective way to
measure temperature and ensure pork is fully cooked throughout.

Start by inserting the thermometer into the center of the meat at the thickest
part, which is typically the coolest part and the last to cook.

To get the most accurate reading, make sure the thermometer is not touching a
bone.

Additionally, be sure to clean your thermometer with soapy water before and
after each use.

Once the pork has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the heat
source and let the meat rest for at least 3 minutes before carving or eating it.

These steps are recommended for all cuts of pork — except ground pork — to help
kill off any bacteria and promote proper food safety (7).



TEMPERATURE GUIDELINES

Proper cooking is one of the most effective ways to prevent trichinosis.

In the past, cooking all cuts of pork to an internal temperature of at least
160°F (71°C) was recommended to prevent infection.

However, in 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated its
recommendations to reflect improvements in food safety practices and a decrease
in the prevalence of trichinosis.

The USDA now recommends cooking pork chops, steaks, ham, and roasts to at least
145°F (63°C), which allows the meat to maintain its moisture and flavor without
drying it out (7).

Organ meats, ground pork, and mixtures made using ground pork, such as sausage,
should still be cooked to at least 160°F (71°C) (7).

For all types of pork except ground pork, the USDA also suggests allowing the
meat to sit for at least 3 minutes before consuming it.

Here are the recommended cooking temperatures for a few of the most common pork
cuts (7):

CutMinimum internal temperaturepork chops
pork tenderloin
pork loinmedium-rare: 145–150°F (63–66°C)
medium: 150–155°F (66–68°C)
medium-well: 155–160°F (68–71°C)
well: 160°F (71°C)pork ribs145°F (63°C)pork roast145°F (63°C)pork leg145°F
(63°C)pork shoulder145°F (63°C)ham145°F (63°C)ground pork160°F (71°C)organ
meats160°F (71°C)

Though most cuts should be cooked to at least 145°F (63°C) to ensure that they
are safe, cooking certain cuts of pork to a higher temperature may also improve
their taste and texture.

For instance, it’s often recommended to cook cuts that contain a higher amount
of connective tissue, such as pork shoulder and ribs, to a temperature of
180–195°F (82–91°C).

This can help break down the collagen, resulting in a more tender and flavorful
final product.

Share on PinterestIllustration by Sophia Smith
WHAT IS MEAT RESTING TIME?

Meat resting time is the amount of time meat remains at the final temperature
once it has been removed from the heat source, such as the oven, grill, or stove
(8).

The general recommendation is to let pork rest for at least 3 minutes after
cooking before cutting or eating it (8).

During this time, the temperature remains stable or continues to increase, which
can help kill off any harmful bacteria (8).

Letting meat rest after cooking also helps enhance its flavor by redistributing
the juices back into the fibers of the meat.

> summary
> 
> Cooking pork thoroughly can eliminate the risk of infection. The meat should
> be cooked to temperatures of 145–160°F (63–71°C) and allowed to rest for at
> least 3 minutes before eating.



OTHER PORK FOOD SAFETY TIPS

In addition to cooking pork thoroughly, there are plenty of other steps you can
take to practice proper food safety when handling this type of meat.

For starters, both cooked and raw pork can be stored in the refrigerator for 3–4
days at temperatures below 40°F (4°C) (7).

Be sure to wrap pork tightly and minimize exposure to air to prevent the meat
from drying out.

Raw meat should be stored on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator to avoid
transferring bacteria to other foods.

When cooking pork, be sure to prepare it in a sanitary environment and use
separate utensils and cutting boards if preparing other foods at the same time
(9Trusted Source).

To prevent cross contamination, avoid allowing cooked foods or foods that don’t
require cooking to come into contact with raw meat (9Trusted Source).

Finally, to prevent the growth of bacteria, make sure you store leftovers in the
refrigerator promptly and don’t leave pork at room temperature for more than 2
hours (7).

> summary
> 
> In addition to cooking pork thoroughly, proper handling and storage are
> important for maintaining food safety.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Although the guidelines for cooking pork have changed within the last few years,
practicing food safety remains essential for preventing foodborne illness.

Following the recommendations for cooking pork can minimize your risk of
trichinosis, an infection caused by eating undercooked pork contaminated with
the Trichinella spiralis parasite.

The USDA recommends cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145–160°F
(63–71°C) — depending on the cut — and letting it rest for at least 3 minutes
before eating.

Proper handling and storage are also key to reducing your risk of bacterial
infection.


JUST ONE THING

Practicing proper food safety is important when preparing other types of meat
besides pork as well. Check out this article for a comprehensive guide to
selecting, storing, and preparing other types of meat, fish, and poultry safely.

Was this helpful?



Last medically reviewed on March 22, 2022


HOW WE REVIEWED THIS ARTICLE:

History

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our
articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Mar 23, 2022

Written By

Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD

Edited By

Catherine Clark

Copy Edited By

Jill Campbell

Mar 22, 2022

Medically Reviewed By

Amy Richter, MS, RD

VIEW ALL HISTORY

Share this article


Medically reviewed by Amy Richter, RD, Nutrition — By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD —
Updated on March 23, 2022



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