YouTuber Obsessed with Raw Chicken 'Raw Chicken Mukbang'... Experts Are Appalled
Published 27 Feb.2024 12:38(KST)
American Influencer Conducting 'Raw Chicken Eating Challenge'
Doctors Concerned... "Severe Cases May Lead to Death"
An American influencer (celebrity) is causing controversy by conducting a 'Raw Chicken Eating Challenge.'
John participating in the 'Raw Chicken Eating Challenge.'
Photo by Instagram user 'rawmeatexperiment'>
A famous American influencer known only as John has been conducting a challenge of eating raw chicken every day from January 20 to 27. He has 149,000 followers on social networking services (SNS) and mainly posts videos of eating raw meat. His motto is "I will eat raw meat until I die from bacteria." John, who took on the raw chicken challenge, is especially known for enjoying a 'chicken smoothie,' which he makes by blending spices, raw eggs, lettuce, and uncooked chicken (wings and breast meat).
However, doctors are concerned about John's challenge. Raw chicken and eggs may contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can cause serious illnesses. If food poisoning occurs, symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloodstream infections may develop, and in severe cases, hospitalization or death can result.
John participating in the 'Raw Chicken Eating Challenge.'
Photo by Instagram user 'rawmeatexperiment'
Experts interviewed by Channel News Asia expressed concern about John's condition, saying, "All humans have innate protective mechanisms against food poisoning," and "The stomach contains highly acidic fluids with a pH of about 1.5 to 2. Food poisoning bacteria are sensitive to acid, and when they meet stomach acid, their DNA is damaged, and stomach acid can kill these bacteria." They added, "However, even healthy adults may not have enough stomach acid and immune defense to reduce the number of food poisoning bacteria to a safe level if the bacterial load is high," and "Our body's innate defense mechanisms against food poisoning may be less effective in children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with underlying diseases, or people with weakened immune systems." They also explained that regularly taking antacids neutralizes stomach acid, increasing the risk of food poisoning.
Regarding why John has not contracted food poisoning so far, they said, "John mixed various foods with raw chicken, increasing the surface area that stomach acid can attack," and "The various foods mixed with the chicken protected him from infection." Despite these medical warnings, John, who continues the challenge, said, "The raw chicken I eat comes from a specific farm," and "The chicken is very fresh. There is no chance of food poisoning bacteria."
Top 10 Guidelines for Preventing Food Poisoning
2. Cook food thoroughly. Meat should be cooked at over 70 degrees Celsius, including meat attached to bones, and frozen meat should be cooked immediately after thawing.
3. Eat cooked food immediately.
4. Store cooked food at above 60 degrees Celsius or below 10 degrees Celsius, and avoid storing too much food in the refrigerator.
5. When eating stored cooked food, always reheat or cook it again.
6. Be careful not to mix cooked food with raw food.
7. Always wash hands thoroughly before cooking or eating.
8. Keep the kitchen and kitchen utensils clean at all times.
9. Prevent food from coming into contact with insects or animals.
10. Use safe water (such as boiled water).
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