Wisconsin DHS Says No To 'Tiger Meat Or Cannibal Sandwiches'

WISCONSIN—The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is warning residents against eating raw meat.

"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. 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!) Remember, ground beef should ALWAYS be cooked to an internal temperature of 160° F," according to the DHS.

A surprising argument popped up on social media regarding if the dish was yummy or icky. The post was shared over 1,600 times on the DHS's Facebook and was retweeted over 2,600 times on its Twitter page.

"A little pepper, some onions, and then slap it on a piece of rye bread. It’s all about getting it from the right part of the cow and from a good butcher," a person said.

"Steak tartare is French, the raw egg in top of the ground steak is raw too. It's supposed to be the spices in the meat that mitigate the bacteria.

"What about sushi? That's raw, is there a difference? I mean, every place has some kind of raw food, right?" a person said.

"In Germany we eat them all year through, we call them Mettbrötchen. The really important thing is that the meat is constantly chilled and freshly ground. Make sure the meat is organic. Eat within half an hour after purchasing or preparing the meat," a person said.

"The more I learn about this place, the more I realize Wisconsin is a wild wild place," a person said.

"Been keeping my family tradition going for many years. Raw beef, onions, salt & pepper on mini-rye bread. Yum. Buy it special cut & ground fresh from a local small town butcher. No problems in over 60 years of eating it. Wisconsin tradition with a brandy old fashion," a user said.

"For “many” families?!? Definitely some at the most. And if this is still your holiday tradition, you need to be enlightened on meat processing.," a person said.

Looks like the jury is still out on the Wisconsin popular dish. The DHS also gives other warnings on other holiday staples such as eggnog and baked goods.