Pork can be consumed safely at lower temperatures

New cooking guidelines from the USA’s food-safety agency confirm Pork Checkoff research that shows pork can be consumed safely when cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (62.8 degrees Celsius), followed by a three-minute rest time. The guidelines were announced today by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS).

The new recommended temperature is a significant 15 degrees F (9.4 degrees Celsius) less than what was previously recommended and typically will yield a finished product that is pinker in color than most home cooks are accustomed to.

“Our consumer research has consistently shown that Americans have a tendency to overcook common cuts of pork, resulting in a less-than-optimal eating experience,” said Dianne Bettin, a pork producer from Truman, MN, and chair of the Checkoff’s Domestic Marketing Committee. “The new guidelines will help consumers enjoy pork at its most flavourful, juicy – and safe – temperature.”

Whole-muscle cuts

The revised recommendation applies to pork whole-muscle cuts, such as loin, chops and roasts. Ground pork, like all ground meat, should be cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71.1 degrees Celsius). Regardless of cut or cooking method, both the USDA and National Pork Board recommend using a digital cooking thermometer to ensure an accurate final temperature.

The new recommendation evolved from a 2007 Pork Checkoff-funded research project conducted by Ohio State University to measure consumer eating preferences. As part of that project the university researchers tested how various end-cooking temperatures affected eating preferences. But the researchers needed to know if temperatures below 160 degrees (71.1 degrees Celsius) would be safe if that turned out to be consumers’ preference.

Research project

That question resulted in a Checkoff-funded research project with Exponent, an engineering and scientific consulting firm, to conduct a risk assessment to evaluate any food-safety implications of cooking temperatures within a range of 145-160 degrees F (62.8 – 71.1 degrees C). The risk assessment found that cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145 degrees was equivalent to cooking pork to 160 degrees. Checkoff-funded research conducted by Texas A&M supports the fact that meat temperature continues to rise after being removed from the heat and the reality that “resting time” between cooking and eating is at least that long. Therefore, FSIS agreed that the cooking temperature for pork could be lowered.

The USDA guidelines for pork now mirror doneness advice for other meats.

“It’s great news that home cooks can now feel confident to enjoy medium-rare pork, like they do with other meats,” said Guy Fieri, a chef, restaurateur and host of several food-focused television programs. “Pork cooked to this temperature will be juicy and tender. The foodservice industry has been following this pork cooking standard for nearly ten years.”

New recommendation

The new recommendation reflects advances in both food safety and nutritional content of pork in recent years. On average, most common cuts of pork are 16% leaner than 20 years ago, and saturated fat has dropped 27%. In fact, pork tenderloin is now as lean as the leanest type of chicken – a skinless chicken breast.

In addition to the new recommendation to cook pork to 145 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by a three-minute rest time, the USDA food preparation guidelines advise the following:

• Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often

• Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate

• Cook: To proper cooking temperatures

• Chill: Refrigerate promptly

Additional information about cooking pork, including recipes, is available here.

Related websites:

• Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS)

• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

• National Pork Board (NPB)