For the most part, babies can eat the same food as adults. This includes steak, which can be cooked to different levels of doneness, from rare to well done. However, there is a small risk that eating medium-rare steak could cause food poisoning in babies.

Babies are more susceptible to food poisoning than adults because their immune systems are not as developed.

Food poisoning and other diseases could lead to dehydration, which is especially dangerous for babies. Parents should avoid giving babies raw or rare meat that cannot be fully cooked to kill bacteria.

A study by the U.S. Government’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) found that ground beef with a medium level of doneness has the same risk for E. coli as pink hamburgers, which are considered unsafe for pregnant women and children under 5 years old.

The FSIS recommends that all meat be cooked to at least 145° F to kill bacteria.

(1) However, a steak’s internal temperature may not rise to this level of heat during the cooking process, especially if it is grilled or cooked quickly.

Rare meat may contain bacteria that are not killed by normal cooking temperatures. These bacteria could cause food poisoning to people who eat them.

(2) If you are pregnant, avoid eating rare steak and sushi because they have an increased risk for listeriosis, a food-borne illness that can cause miscarriage and stillbirth.

(3) While there is a small risk for food poisoning, most babies can safely eat medium-rare steak if it is cooked to a safe internal temperature. Parents should monitor their babies for any signs of food poisoning after eating rare or undercooked meat.

FAQS

Can babies eat steak that is pink in the middle?

No, there is a small risk that eating medium-rare steak could cause food poisoning in babies. Babies are more susceptible to food poisoning than adults because their immune systems are not as developed. Food poisoning and other diseases could lead to dehydration, which is especially dangerous for babies. Parents should avoid giving babies raw or rare meat that cannot be fully cooked to kill bacteria.

What are the signs of food poisoning?

Babies can show signs of food poisoning after eating medium-rare steak, including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and fatigue. If your baby experiences these symptoms within 48 hours of eating undercooked meat, contact your pediatrician.

What is the internal temperature of a medium-rare steak?

The internal temperature of a medium-rare steak is typically cooler than 145° F. However, the steak’s internal temperature may not rise to this level of heat during the cooking process, especially if it is grilled or cooked quickly. Parents should monitor their babies for any signs of food poisoning after eating rare or undercooked meat.

Can babies eat well-done steak?

Yes, babies can eat well-done steak. All meat should be cooked to at least 145° F to kill bacteria. However, a steak’s internal temperature may not rise to this level of heat during the cooking process, especially if it is grilled or cooked quickly. Parents should monitor their babies for any signs of food poisoning after eating rare or undercooked meat.