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USA: Local dishes

Most traditional US dishes are cooked and served hot, but some need special care.

Last updated: ~1 min read
On a dark navy background, mac and cheese.
Figure 1.Bowl — USA: Local dishes

01Short answer

Mac and cheese, chicken soup, grilled chicken, baked beans, mashed potatoes, chili and casseroles are usually fine when cooked through. Deli meats and hot dogs should only be eaten heated until steaming (Listeria risk). Raw oysters, ceviche, raw-fish sushi, “rare” steak, raw cookie dough and homemade mayonnaise salads are considered risky.

02Simple explanation

Hot and cooked: safer.

Deli: heat until steaming.

Raw bar: avoid.

03Scientific explanation

Listeria: can grow even in the fridge, which is why deli meats are reheated.

Vibrio: raw oysters carry a risk of serious infection.

04What happens in the body?

Mac and cheese

A baked dish made with pasteurised cheese.

Deli sandwich

The meat should be heated until steaming.

On a dark navy background, a steaming sandwich.
Figure 2.Sandwich — USA: Local dishes

Oysters

Risky raw; a cooked chowder is an alternative.

On a dark navy background, oysters in a caution glow.
Figure 3.Oysters — USA: Local dishes

05Local dishes

Four steps.

Choose — Hot dishes.1ChooseHot dishes.
Deli — The steam rule.2DeliThe steam rule.
Swap — Raw for cooked.3SwapRaw for cooked.
Reheat — Until steaming.4ReheatUntil steaming.
SafeThe right choice.
Against infectionLower risk.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Mac and cheeseA baked dish made with pasteurised cheese.
Deli sandwichThe meat should be heated until steaming.
OystersRisky raw; a cooked chowder is an alternative.

07Key terms

Deli meat
Sliced cold cuts.
Steaming hot
Hot enough to give off steam.
Chowder
A thick seafood soup.
Cookie dough
Raw biscuit dough.

08Key points

  • Choose hot, freshly cooked dishes.
  • Reheat deli meats.
  • Avoid raw oysters.
  • Make mayonnaise salads fresh.
  • Do not eat raw dough.

09Frequently asked questions

Is BBQ OK?

Meat cooked through is fine; check with a thermometer.

Hot dogs?

Only heated until steaming.

Clam chowder?

Usually fine if fresh and boiled through.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Is BBQ OK?

  2. Hot dogs?

  3. Clam chowder?

My questions

12Sources

  1. World Health Organization (WHO). Five keys to safer food
  2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases
  3. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  4. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  5. America's Blood Centers. Official website
  6. AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies). Official website
  7. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Blood and blood products
  8. NMDP. Official website
  9. NMDP. For patients
  10. CIBMTR. Official website
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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