A TikToker who eats raw chicken as part of her diet has left many feeling uneasy. On the social media platform, Mimi Graff - who goes by the username FeralFraulein on the app - regularly shares videos of herself enjoying various uncooked foods, including plates of liver, chicken, beef and glasses of raw eggs.
She claims to have never endured any health problems from what she eats and bases a lot of her videos around proudly showing her fans all that she consumes. Despite regularly filming herself tearing into slices of various meats with her hands, there is a big risk of contracting foodborne illnesses by eating raw meat.
In one TikTok, titled 'What I eat in a day', she tells her 18.4k followers: "I woke up craving red meat so I decided to prepare my signature steak tartare for breakfast even though it's my go-to dinner."
In a separate video, she demonstrates to viewers how she tends to drink her glass of eggs of a morning. "Lately I've been drinking them like this where I stick my straw into the yolk and suck the life out of it. It's really fun," she said.
A third videos sees Mimi - who describes herself as a "holistic health coach speaking from the heart" - blend up raw liver pieces with raspberries, honey and yoghurt into a smoothie, captioning it: "Primal smoothie time!"
She also writes in the caption of another clip that "if you’re triggered by #rawmeat it’s a sign that your subconscious mind is trying to speak up so you look into it, it could change your life."
Responding back to a fan who filmed herself trying raw meat seemingly after being inspired by Mimi's food in-take, she said: "Nothing makes me happier than seeing my #feralfriends nourishing themselves with raw meat."
Many of her videos includes comments from viewers expressing concern for the TikToker's health. Vivi wrote: "what about salmonella? And isn't it dangerous for various reasons to eat raw chicken? I'm confused."
ItsjustNatashax asked: "Can anyone explain to me how some people can fully munch raw chicken/meat and not get sick?" Skandra put: "Lady, please explain to us, how you choose your raw food and how is it that you not get sick… please."
However, Mimi has defended her diet. In an interview with the Daily Star, she said: "Organic, grass-fed beef is generally the safest type of meat to consume raw. I believe wholeheartedly in sources all food from high-quality and organic sources.
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"Since I love eating raw chicken I feel fortunate to live in a country with strict protocols regarding salmonella. The controversy is not surprising or upsetting. I am very grateful for the thousands of supporting viewers I have amassed and their comments that make me laugh everyday."
As stated on the NHS website, it's important to prepare and cook food safely. According to guidance, a statement reads: "Cooking meat properly ensures that harmful bacteria on the meat are killed. If meat is not cooked all the way through, these bacteria may cause food poisoning.
"Bacteria and viruses can be found all the way through poultry and certain meat products (such as burgers). This means you need to cook poultry and these sorts of meat products all the way through. When meat is cooked all the way through, its juices run clear and there is no pink or red meat left inside.
"Meats and meat products that you should cook all the way through are: poultry and game, such as chicken, turkey, duck and goose, including liver, pork, offal, including liver, burgers and sausages, kebabs and rolled joints of meat.
"You can eat whole cuts of beef or lamb when they are pink inside – or "rare" – as long as they are cooked on the outside. These meats include: steaks, cutlets and joints."
