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I accidentally dropped my steak in soapy dish water for a couple of seconds then rinsed it off and now I'm marinating it. Will it be safe to eat?

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2 Answers 2

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Dish soap won't kill you. You probably eat it, in traces, with every meal.

If you can't smell it or taste it, then no real harm done.

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  • 3
    If the dish water were dirty, would the extra contaminants be a threat? Mar 1, 2020 at 4:46
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    @BalinKingOfMoriaReinstateCMs unless the OP was planning to make steak tartare, no.
    – Stephie
    Mar 1, 2020 at 9:28
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    If the dishwater was dirty enough to be a health hazard… why would you still be washing up in it?
    – Tetsujin
    Mar 2, 2020 at 11:31
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    @Joe As a life long UK resident this is the first I'm hearing this...
    – user76129
    Mar 2, 2020 at 12:39
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    You guys are either just making this up now, or you're washing your dishes in 80% carbolic & battery acid. I've never heard anything so over-the-top.
    – Tetsujin
    Mar 2, 2020 at 18:32
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I audit meat plants in the US and there is actually a thing called a meat wash sink. Red meat can legally be picked up off the floor and washed in a sink, but not with soap. I am agreeing this is pretty disgusting, but it is the case. I have done a similar thing and been fine, but do not do this in a restaurant please, it is not OK there. As long as you remove the soap you're fine, but if the water had old food or other items, then, well, that is not the best idea.

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    If you tolerate this in a meat plant, why not in a restaurant?
    – bobuhito
    Mar 2, 2020 at 1:00
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    @bobuhito Because then the cat is out of the bag. People in the modern day just freak out by the tiniest things. Mar 2, 2020 at 13:46
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    @bobuhito Sink washed meat is the dollar store special. Paying for non-floor meat at a restaurant is an expectation.
    – MonkeyZeus
    Mar 2, 2020 at 14:24
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    Do you have any source on the regulations that allow steak rinsing?
    – Alex D
    Mar 2, 2020 at 22:55
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    @AlexD I did look for guidance documents and found this reference in a USDA document. fsis.usda.gov/shared/PDF/FSRE_SPS.pdf Again this is not me tolerating this is the USDA. If you dont like it call Sonny Purdue the Commissioner of the USDA.
    – Lin
    Mar 3, 2020 at 23:39

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