Is a Chitlin

Chitlins (or chitterlings, if you’re fancy) are cooked pig intestines. While the vast majority of chitlins are pork, sometimes intestines from other animals (particularly cows) are used. They’re typically boiled, fried, or stuffed with mincemeat and served as just one part of a larger meal.

Why are chitterlings bad for you?

Chitterlings can be contaminated with the bacteria Yersinia enterocolitica, which can cause a diarrheal illness called “yersiniosis.” Other foodborne pathogens — such as Salmonella and E. coli — can also be present, so it is important to follow safe food handling practices to prevent infection.

Are chitterlings meat?

Eaten all year long, chitterlings are especially popular during the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays. They are one of the meat products inspected by United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).