• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
0203 011 4242   
Contact us
Praxis42

Praxis42

Health and Safety eLearning Consultancy

  • About
        • Our valuesDiscover our values, aspirations and core competencies.
        • Meet the teamLearn about the Praxis42 team of compliance experts.
        • Case studiesExperience how our services support our clients.
        • ReviewsGenuine reviews and ratings from our clients.
        • AccreditationsOur professional expert accrediations, approvals and partners.
        • Terms and conditionsGet easy access to our terms and conditions documents.
        • CareersJoin the Praxis42 team and discover our current vacancies.
        • Latest resources

          • DSE glasses and eye tests for employees – does my employer have to pay?
          • Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it
          • What are the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (1992)?
          • Ep 11: Trust without condition – Christian Harris
          • Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace
        • Latest courses

          • Cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers £25.00
          • Behavioural Safety Course Behavioural Safety £25.00
          • Lone working course main image Lone Working Awareness £25.00
          • Image of magnifying glass and laptop Conducting Effective HR Investigations £25.00
          • Data personal information course main Data and Personal Information Security £30.00
  • Services
        • Products
        • eLearning CoursesAccess our extensive library of eLearning training courses.
        • Assessment ToolsInteractive health and safety assessment and evaluation tools.
        • SHINEDiscover SHINE – our complete learning management system.
        • Fire, Health and Safety HelpdeskA central point to access a competent person.
        • Hiscox Risk AcademyPowered by Praxis42.
        • Services
        • Audits and assessmentsEvaluate organisational compliance with on-site assessments and audits.
        • ConsultingDiscover our technology-led health and safety consulting services.
        • Bespoke trainingBespoke fire, health and safety training to support your organisation.
        • SaaSOur health and safety software as a service platform.
        • Topics
          • Fire safety
          • Food Safety
          • Building safety
          • Wellbeing
          • Workplace safety
          • Homeworking
        • Sectors
          • Manufacturing
          • Retail
          • Construction
          • Hospitality
          • Office
          • Telecommunications
  • eLearning
        • Complete library of coursesOur library of over 50 health and safety elearning courses.
        • Health and safety coursesProtect employees with our health and safety courses.
        • Wellbeing coursesPromote mental and physical wellbeing with our courses.
        • HR coursesImprove management and staff skills with our HR training.
        • Cyber coursesOnline courses to help you stay cyber compliant.
        • Food safety coursesEnsure food safety compliance with our food hygene courses.
        • Fire safety coursesProtect people and premises with our fire safety training.
        • Compliance coursesOperate safety in physical spaces with premises training.
        • Safety management coursesIOSH Approved safety management training courses.
        • Assessment ToolsInteractive assessments – from DSE to driver awareness tools.
        • Mandatory training coursesAccess the courses your organisation must provide employees.
        • SHINEDiscover SHINE – our complete learning management system.
        • Popular courses

          • Fire Safety Training
          • Display Screen Equipment Training
          • Manual Handling
          • UK GDPR and Data Protection Awareness
          • EMF and RF Awareness
        • Latest courses

          • Cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers £25.00
          • Behavioural Safety Course Behavioural Safety £25.00
          • Lone working course main image Lone Working Awareness £25.00
          • Image of magnifying glass and laptop Conducting Effective HR Investigations £25.00
          • Data personal information course main Data and Personal Information Security £30.00
  • Topics
        • Building safetyDiscover our building and premises health and safety guides.
        • Display Screen Equipment (DSE)Manage risks associated with incorrect use of DSE through our resources.
        • EMF and RFStay up-to-date with our EMF and RF safety guides and advice.
        • Fire safetyAll you need to learn about fire safety and compliance.
        • Free Stress Awareness TrainingSupporting National Stress Awareness Month.
        • Food SafetyNews, advice and guides covering food hygiene and safety.
        • HomeworkingAccess our guides on working from home and employee safety.
        • WellbeingEmployee wellbeing industry advice, trends and support.
        • Workplace safetyGet workplace health and safety advice and access to support.
        • Latest resources

          • DSE glasses and eye tests for employees – does my employer have to pay?
          • Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it
          • What are the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (1992)?
          • Ep 11: Trust without condition – Christian Harris
          • Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace
        • Latest courses

          • Cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers £25.00
          • Behavioural Safety Course Behavioural Safety £25.00
          • Lone working course main image Lone Working Awareness £25.00
          • Image of magnifying glass and laptop Conducting Effective HR Investigations £25.00
          • Data personal information course main Data and Personal Information Security £30.00
  • Sectors
        • RetailHealth and safety issues that affect stores and retail premises.
        • HospitalityGuides, advice and support for hospitality organisations.
        • ConstructionNews, guides and support covering the construction sector.
        • ManufacturingManufacturing health and safety resources and guides.
        • OfficeDiscover how to enhance office safety with our expert guides.
        • TelecommunicationsLatest advice and guidance for the telecommunications sector.
        • Latest resources

          • DSE glasses and eye tests for employees – does my employer have to pay?
          • Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it
          • What are the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (1992)?
          • Ep 11: Trust without condition – Christian Harris
          • Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace
        • Latest courses

          • Cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers £25.00
          • Behavioural Safety Course Behavioural Safety £25.00
          • Lone working course main image Lone Working Awareness £25.00
          • Image of magnifying glass and laptop Conducting Effective HR Investigations £25.00
          • Data personal information course main Data and Personal Information Security £30.00
  • Resources
        • ResourcesComplete library of news, guides and advice.
        • BlogsAccess our latest guides, advice and industry articles.
        • WebinarsSign up to our latest webinars and access our archive.
        • Risk. Sleep. Repeat. – PodcastTune into our latest health, safety and risk podcasts.
        • VideosTake a look at our video library including our product demos.
        • Safety Made Simple – PodcastBreaking down different health and safety topics.
        • Fire, Health and Safety FAQsDeveloped by experts covering key queries.
        • Sectors
          • Retail
          • Hospitality
          • Manufacturing
          • Construction
          • Office
          • Telecommunications
        • Topics
          • Fire safety
          • Food Safety
          • Wellbeing
          • Homeworking
          • Workplace safety
          • Building safety
  • Client login
is a pink burger a safety issue

Is a pink burger a food safety issue?

Karima Boice
4th January 2021

Foodborne illnesses amount to an estimated 2.4 million cases in the UK each year. Food poisoning from raw or undercooked meat is one of the most common causes, according to the NHS. So, is a pink burger safe to eat, or is it a food safety issue?

The renaissance of the often-maligned burger into gourmet food has been around for a while now, with restaurants, casual dining establishments and gastro pubs being able to compete happily in a different market to the two major burger chains in the UK.

Some of what differentiates these food serving businesses is that they meet the customer expectation of what a burger ‘should’ look and taste like, with a plethora of options for toppings and extras. As well as no longer cooking the meat until dry and shrivelled, they consider how you’d like your burger cooked. It’s a bit like ordering a steak – rare, medium and well done – but this approach has a key question: is a pink burger safe to eat?

All employees who work with food as part of their duties must undergo food safety training. Our food safety training course helps ensure employees can work safely with food, cooperate with laws and know how to avoid risks with food preparation and handling.

Why is pink burger safety an issue?

Back in 1993, Jack in the Box franchisees in the US made more than 400 people ill which led to two deaths. The restaurant chain’s beef supplier had unfortunately been delivering E. coli-contaminated patties, which the restaurants were only cooking to an internal temperature of 140°F or 60°C, the federal requirement at the time.

At this internal temperature, it was not enough to kill the bacteria. A new core temperature guidance was issued that raised the temperature requirements of cooked ground meat to 160°F (70°C). Food safety and hygiene training is a legal requirement for employees to avoid risks and know how to handle and prepare food safely.

What is E. coli and what can it do to us?

E. coli is a type of bacteria found in the gut of some animals. Some strains (such as E. coli 0157) can cause stomach upset and diarrhoea if they contaminate the food we eat. Burgers made of ground beef can sometimes carry E. coli bacteria from animal intestines and if they’re not thoroughly cooked to 160°F (70°C), they can cause food poisoning and make us ill.

Can you serve a pink burger or should they always be cooked well done?

The long-standing advice from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is that burgers should be cooked thoroughly until juices run clear, they are steaming hot and there is no pink inside. Serving a pink burger has an increased risk of microbiological hazards such as E Coli O157 and Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). Cooking the burger to 70°C for 2 minutes (75°C for 30 seconds) can eliminate these hazards, but using traditional flame grill methods may also result in a ‘well done’ appearance.

FSA guidance on cooking raw burger meat

The FSA Board have indicated in a news release and update on their website that rare burgers can be served so long as the following criteria are met:

  • Sourcing the meat only from establishments with effective control measures to minimise the risk of contamination of meats that are expected to be eaten raw or lightly cooked.
  • Ensuring that the supplier carries out testing of the products to check that the control measures are working.
  • Strict temperature control to prevent the growth of any bugs and appropriate preparation and cooking procedures are included in a fully verified and validated food safety management procedure.
  • Providing consumer advice on menus warning customers of the additional risk from eating burgers that are not thoroughly cooked.

Businesses wishing to serve undercooked burgers should pre-notify the local authority of their intentions.

5 tips on avoiding pink or raw burgers

  • Make sure the meat is piping hot all the way through.
  • The middle should reach 160°F (70°C) if using a meat thermometer.
  • Ensure the meat is not pink when the burger is cut through the centre.
  • Any juice that runs must be clear, not bloody.
  • Make sure raw meat is always covered and stored in the fridge until use.

All employees who work with food as part of their duties must undergo food safety training. Our food safety training course helps ensure employees can work safely with food, cooperate with laws and know how to avoid risks with food preparation and handling.

Primary Sidebar

Blog categories

  • Assessments
  • Compliance
  • Fire Safety
  • Food Safety
  • Health and Safety
  • HR
  • Mandatory Training
  • Safety Management
  • Wellbeing

Latest guide

Eye tests for employees - featured image

DSE glasses and eye tests for employees – does my employer have to pay?

Learn more about eye tests for employees and employers responsibilities relating DSE eye tests, and optical health and safety ...
Read more

Latest course

Cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers

Cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers

Our cyber attacks and strategic cyber planning for managers course helps managers understand the security risks when working with suppliers and how to deal with ...
View course
Health safety assessments - main header image

Audits and assessments

Our professional risk assessments, audits and consultancy services help organisations comply with fire, health and safety and HR regulations.
Read more
Praxis42 Consulting services

Consulting

Discover how our fire, health and safety consultants can help your organisation with fire safety and health and safety compliance.
Read more

Sign up to our Praxis42 newsletter

Get the latest fire, health and safety news, guides, webinars, videos and podcasts direct to your inbox. Sign up now!

Related resources

Discover our library of expert guides, webinars and video.

Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it
Video

Product Demo: Why your DSE process is building a non-compliance database – and what to do about it

This product demo will look at the ways you may be currently assessing the DSE risks in your organisation and ways you can streamline the process.
Read more
Display screen equipment regulations 1992
Blog

What are the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (1992)?

Read our guide on what Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 entail and understand the importance for employers to implement them.
Read more
Ep 11: Trust without condition - Christian Harris
Podcast

Ep 11: Trust without condition – Christian Harris

This conversation looks at how to move forward after a life-changing accident, dealing with internal pressure and the importance of trust and growth within business.
Read more
Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace
Podcast

Ep 7: 8 common electrical hazards in the workplace

In this episode we look at common electrical hazards in the workplace, the legal requirements for electrical safety and precautions that should be taken. 
Read more
More posts Loading...

Footer

About Praxis42

We're the leading compliance organisation trusted by businesses nationwide to meet their auditing, assessment and training needs. We work with all sectors and size of organisation. We have extensive accreditation and decades of safety management experience.


Company no. 04152524 · VAT no. 770517529

Explore Praxis42

  • Home
  • About
  • Topic
  • Sector
  • Resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay up-to-date with the latest health and safety news, advice and offers.

0203 011 4242   info [at] praxis42 [dot] com

© 2023 Praxis42 Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsReject AllAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
CookieDurationDescription
__cf_bm30 minutesThis cookie, set by Cloudflare, is used to support Cloudflare Bot Management.
__lc_cid2 yearsThis is an essential cookie for the website live chat box to function properly.
__lc_cst2 yearsThis cookie is used for the website live chat box to function properly.
__oauth_redirect_detectorpastThis cookie is used to recognize the visitors using live chat at different times inorder to optimize the chat-box functionality.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
CookieDurationDescription
_calendly_session21 daysCalendly, a Meeting Schedulers, sets this cookie to allow the meeting scheduler to function within the website and to add events into the visitor’s calendar.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
CookieDurationDescription
_ga2 yearsThe _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
_gat_gtag_UA_2905818_11 minuteSet by Google to distinguish users.
_gid1 dayInstalled by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
CookieDurationDescription
m2 yearsNo description available.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo