can you eat raw bacon

It is not safe to eat raw bacon. Raw bacon can harbor harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli, as well as parasites like Trichinella, which can cause severe foodborne illnesses with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Although curing and smoking reduce risks somewhat, they do not eliminate the dangers, so bacon must be thoroughly cooked to a safe internal temperature to avoid these health hazards. Eating raw or undercooked bacon poses significant risks of food poisoning and parasitic infections, making it essential to cook bacon properly before consumption.