What is the most effective practice for preventing trichinosis in people?

Thoroughly cooking fresh pork is the most effective practice for preventing trichinosis, a parasitic infection caused by eating undercooked meat infected with Trichinella larvae. The larvae can survive in undercooked or raw pork, but cooking meat to the recommended internal temperature effectively kills these parasites, making the meat safe to consume.

The importance of cooking pork properly cannot be overstated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends cooking pork to at least 145°F (63°C) and allowing it to rest for three minutes to ensure that any potential Trichinella larvae present are destroyed. This practice not only protects individuals from trichinosis but also promotes overall food safety.

While freezing pork can also reduce the risk of trichinosis, it is not as reliable a method as cooking because freezing may not kill all forms of the parasite if the meat is not frozen at the correct temperature for an adequate amount of time. Therefore, ensuring proper cooking is the primary and most effective strategy for preventing this infection.