Lamb and Mutton meat are in many ways very versatile meat products. This is due to the fact that they can be cooked at different levels (eg: Rare, Medium Rare etc.). One question that may have occurred to you could be this: Can you eat raw Mutton or Lamb? We shall be exploring this question together. Interested to find out more? Join me as we go on this very intriguing journey.
Is raw Lamb safe to eat?
Let us now explore the question of whether or not raw Lamb is safe to eat. Simply put, raw Lamb is not safe to eat. You can however consume Lamb meat that is cooked to the level of rare. We shall explore the reasons why when we discuss the hazards that come with raw Lamb and Mutton meat.
How about raw Mutton?
In the case of raw Mutton the same principle applies. Raw mutton is not safe to eat and it should be cooked to a certain degree (minimum level is rare) so that it is safe for consumption.
Is raw Mutton and Lamb considered a delicacy?
In terms of the question of whether or not raw Mutton and Lamb are considered delicacies in different cultures, that is a unique and interesting question to ask. With that being said, in general most Mutton and Lamb based cuisines around the world tend to be cooked before being eaten instead of being consumed raw. Yet again, a reason why most Mutton and Lamb delicacies are cooked before they are eaten could be due to cooking being an effective way to kill any harmful bacteria in the meat.
What are the dangers that may come with raw Lamb/Mutton?
We shall now discuss the dangers that can come with raw Lamb and Mutton.
- Raw Lamb and Mutton have the potential to have bacteria in them when raw or undercooked.
- These meats can also be highly dangerous to consume raw when the sheep is infected with disease.
- An example of harmful bacteria that can be found in raw Lamb and Mutton is Salmonella.
How should your Lamb/Mutton be prepared?
As mentioned earlier, the minimum level at which Lamb/Mutton should be cooked or done is the level of rare. This is to ensure that harmful bacteria have been killed off due to the cooking process. We shall gain a better understanding about the many different levels of cooking/doneness as indicated by the temperatures of the various levels of cooked Lamb and Mutton in the following table.
| Level of cooking/doneness | Temperature |
| Rare | 60 degrees Celsius/140 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| Medium Rare | 61 to 65 degrees Celsius/141.8 to 149 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| Medium | 66 to 70 degrees Celsius/150.8 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| Medium Well Done | 71 degrees Celsius/159.8 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| Well done | 75 degrees Celsius/167 degrees Fahrenheit. |
Are there any ready to eat raw Lamb/Mutton products available in shops?
With regards to the question of if there are any raw Lamb/Mutton products available in shops, There are none at the moment possibly due to the potential health hazards that raw Lamb and Mutton meat could pose to people.
Where can you go to buy high quality Lamb/Mutton products?
You can purchase high quality Lamb/Mutton products at supermarkets such as NTUC Fairprice, Giant or Sheng Shiong. You can also purchase Lamb/Mutton products at online stores like Shopee, Redmart and Pickme to name a few.
Recap
Let us now recap what we know.
| What we have learnt |
| 1. Raw Lamb and Mutton are not safe for consumption due to bacteria such as Salmonella and the sheep possibly being infected with disease. 2. The minimum level of cooking/doneness required for Lamb/Mutton to be safe to eat is rare. 3. Ready-to-eat Lamb/Mutton products are not available possibly due to the health hazards that come with raw Lamb/Mutton. |
Some final thoughts
This was in many ways an enlightening journey that would have helped to widen your horizons of knowledge regarding raw Lamb and Mutton meat and whether it is safe for immediate consumption without cooking. Till our next adventure, take care and always be vigilant about food and the safety guidelines for them.