DHS Warns Against “Cannibal Sandwich,” A Wisconsin Tradition

Wisconsin residents are being urged by health officials to take a pass on eating a traditional dish because of the health effects it can have.

A "cannibal sandwich" is considered a holiday favorite in the state, and it consists of raw beef on bread, sliced onions, and salt and pepper.

"Eating raw meat is NEVER recommended because of the bacteria it can contain," the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) said in a tweet on Saturday. They issue this reminder annually, yet people still eat the sandwich, and people still get sick.

"Time for our annual reminder that there's one #holiday tradition you need to pass on: raw meat sandwiches, sometimes called Tiger Meat or Cannibal Sandwiches," the state health department wrote on Facebook.

"Many Wisconsin families consider them to be a holiday tradition, but eating them poses a threat for Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter and Listeria bacteria that can make you sick. (And, no, it doesn't matter where you buy your beef!)."

Ground beef should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 160ºF.

"Hundreds of people in the Midwest who are sickened after eating cannibal sandwiches," the US Department of Agriculture said.

"It is important to know that eating these types of foods is not without risks," the website said.