With holiday merriment escalating every day, the CDC has asked Wisconsin residents to forgo one of their regional traditions – eating raw meat sandwiches.
With holiday merriment escalating every day, the CDC has asked Wisconsin residents to forgo one of their regional traditions – eating raw meat sandwiches.
Usually called a ‘cannibal sandwich’, but sometimes referred to as ‘tiger meat’ or ‘steak tartare’, it’s uncooked ground beef topped with crunchy onions and served on rye bread.
Sometimes cooks have been known to throw in a raw egg.
Back in the days before the dangers of eating raw meat was known, the dish was a staple during the holidays and at various other big events like weddings and funerals.
People are still serving them, as last year the sandwich was behind over a dozen trips to Wisconsin hospitals.
The presence of E coli was confirmed in four patients and suspected in several more.
Prior to that incident, cannibal sandwiches have been blamed for outbreaks in the state in the years 1972, 78, and 94.
Fans of the food appear to be undaunted by the reports.
Among the 53 people who bought what was later identified as the contaminated meat causing last year’s problems, 70 percent said they’d still indulge in the traditional holiday dish.
