The U.S. Department of Agriculture is planning to update its inspection system so it will be able to determine the presence of harmful pathogens not detectable by visual inspection. Raw hamburger must be handled properly because of the potential of contamination by harmful bacteria. Cooking kills bacteria. If hamburgers are safely handled and thoroughly cooked, they won't make you sick. Bacteria can be present in any ground beef as well as other raw foods such as poultry, fish and eggs.
Some bacteria cause food to spoil.
USDA recommends against eating raw or undercooked ground beef since harmful bacteria could be present. But safe food handling is also important in preventing foodborne illness. Here are some hamburger safety tips. At the store, be sure to choose a package that's not torn and that feels cold. If possible, enclose it in a plastic bag so juices won't drip on other foods.