You might have noticed something unsettling while scrolling through social media lately—young people filming themselves eating chunks of raw beef like it's a morning snack. Welcome to the latest social media phenomenon that's got health experts across Australia raising serious red flags.
The so-called 'carnivore diet' has exploded across social media platforms, with the hashtag #carnivorediet racking up over 475 million views on social media alone.
But this isn't just about eating more steak—people eat their steaks, livers, kidneys, hearts, and more completely raw.
'The human primate took ascendancy because we mastered fire, we started cooking food, we reduced the risk of foodborne illness and increased the capacity for our brains to grow'
The faces behind the trend
Several influencers have built massive followings around this extreme lifestyle. Pauly Long — also referred to as the 'testicle king' for his videos showing him eating raw testicles—has over 2 million followers.
Meanwhile, Isabella Ma, who goes by the apt handle SteakAndButterGal on social media, has gained attention for videos where she's poised to take a bite out of a giant stick of butter, as if it were a freshly peeled banana.
These aren't small-scale experiments—Raw Meat Diet content has generated 4M posts on social media, with creators claiming raw meat helps 'increase energy and improve digestion'.
What this means for Australian families
While this trend might seem like harmless online theatre, it's hitting close to home. Female influencers primarily focus on weight loss, skin conditions, and autoimmune disorders, while male carnivore influencers tend to focus on getting 'ripped' and maximising their masculinity.
This targeted messaging is precisely designed to appeal to young people dealing with common concerns about appearance and health.
Australian food poisoning by the numbers
Each year, there are an estimated 4.1 million cases of food poisoning in Australia
The total annual cost to society for foodborne illness is $1.249 billion
On average, there are more than 230,000 cases of Campylobacter and 55,000 cases of Salmonella each year
The serious health risks
Dr Kieran Le Plastrier from Bond University puts it bluntly: this trend is 'dangerous'. And the numbers back him up. With over 48 million foodborne illnesses reported annually across the U.S., and similar proportional risks in Australia, the statistics are sobering.
Pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter are commonly found in raw beef, often originating from contamination during slaughtering. These aren't mild stomach upsets we're talking about—raw meat often contains harmful bacteria, like salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium perfringens, which can lead to severe food poisoning.
The original article mentions a particularly grim example: a patient whose liver was filled with pockets of worms from contaminated meat—a stark reminder that some consequences can last years.
Why young people are vulnerable
Understanding why this trend has taken off helps explain its appeal to younger generations. 'What I see almost across the board with the female carnivore influencers is this sense that the Western diet is toxic, Western medicine is toxic, and we have found something that will bring you true health,' explains Derek Beres, cohost of the Conspirituality podcast.
There's also a psychological component at play. As Dr Le Plastrier notes in the original article, younger people are 'neurobiologically programmed to care deeply about what other people think about them' and the 'norming and storming' within social groups makes them particularly vulnerable to peer pressure effects.
Did you know?
What Does This Mean for You?
If you have teenagers or young adult grandchildren, they may have encountered these videos online. Rather than dismissing their interest, experts suggest having open conversations about food safety and the difference between social media content and medical advice. Encouraging them to speak with their GP about any dietary concerns can help them make informed choices.
The science they're misinterpreting
There is some legitimate science around gut health and diet that these influencers are twisting. 'In a strict carnivore diet whereby no plant foods are allowed, the body is stripped of any opportunity to have phytonutrients that protect us from cancer and many chronic diseases,' explains Angel Luk, a registered dietitian.
The original article notes that changes in gut bacteria from dietary modifications can indeed help with inflammatory conditions like cystic acne and psoriasis. However, 'No controlled studies support claims that the carnivore diet can help eliminate health issues', according to nutrition expert Lizzie Streit.
Food safety in the real world
Australia's food safety standards exist for good reason. The USDA recommends cooking steak to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit and ground meat to 160 degrees Fahrenheit to eliminate harmful bacteria.
Only a small number of food recalls are linked to reported cases of illness or injury in Australia, precisely because our food safety systems work when followed properly. From 2020 to 2024, there were 90 food recalls due to microbial contamination, with Listeria monocytogenes accounting for 31 per cent and Salmonella for 23 per cent of these recalls.
The distrust factor
Dr Le Plastrier's original article touches on an important point—there's growing distrust of traditional dietary guidelines, partly because nutritional science has evolved. The 'fats are bad' messaging from the 1980s was indeed oversimplified, leading some people to embrace extreme alternatives.
But as he notes, 'Science isn't a reaction to an idea. Science is, 'hang on, there's an outcome here we didn't anticipate, let's go and find out what that is'.' The solution to past oversimplification isn't to abandon food safety altogether.
Moving beyond the trend
Some medical experts even speculate that cooking meat instead of consuming it raw helped humans evolve by making it safer and easier to digest. We've spent millennia learning these lessons—there's wisdom in not throwing them away for social media views.
Protecting your family from food trends
- Encourage open conversations about what young family members see online
- Share Australian food safety guidelines and the reasons behind them
- Suggest consulting healthcare providers about dietary changes
- Help young people develop critical thinking about social media health claims
- Remember that traditional dishes like steak tartare are occasional treats, not daily diets
What This Means For You
The carnivore diet trend represents more than just poor dietary choices—it reflects deeper issues around health misinformation and social media influence. While we can't control what appears on young people's social media feeds, we can provide them with reliable information and support them in making informed decisions.
What concerning health or lifestyle trends have you noticed gaining traction online? Have you had conversations with younger family members about what they're seeing on social media?
Original Article
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/f...t/news-story/ea8ebbe990c069030553c58fce497163
The Viral Carnivore Diet Isn't About Raw Meat. It's About Power
Cited text: On TikTok, the hashtag #carnivorediet has over 475 million views, with top videos garnering hundreds of thousands of likes.
Excerpt: 475 million views
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/viral-carnivore-diet-about-power-1234628316/
The Viral Carnivore Diet Isn't About Raw Meat. It's About Power
Cited text: Instead of just increasing their meat intake, people eat their steaks, livers, kidneys, hearts, and more completely raw.
Excerpt: people eat their steaks, livers, kidneys, hearts, and more completely raw
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/viral-carnivore-diet-about-power-1234628316/
Why TikTok Influencers Are Eating Raw Beef (And Why You Shouldn't) - The Takeout
Cited text: Pauly Long — also referred to as the 'testicle king' for his videos showing him eating raw testicles — argues that raw meat is healthier than most foo...
Excerpt: Pauly Long — also referred to as the 'testicle king' for his videos showing him eating raw testicles
https://www.thetakeout.com/1788063/why-tiktok-eating-raw-beef-dangerous/
Meet the Lady Carnivores Taking Over TikTok With Butter and Raw Meat
Cited text: Many of the videos on Isabella Ma’s TikTok page feature the same approximate thumbnail: a grinning Ma, with razor-sharp cheekbones, stick-straight bla...
Excerpt: Isabella Ma, who goes by the apt handle SteakAndButterGal on social media
https://www.rollingstone.com/cultur...rs-carnivore-diet-healthy-harmful-1234990941/
Meet the Lady Carnivores Taking Over TikTok With Butter and Raw Meat
Cited text: It’s the first time they’ve seen a girl eat butter before.” · Ma, who goes by the apt handle SteakAndButterGal on social media, is one of a rapidly g...
Excerpt: Isabella Ma, who goes by the apt handle SteakAndButterGal on social media
https://www.rollingstone.com/cultur...rs-carnivore-diet-healthy-harmful-1234990941/
Raw Meat Diet | TikTok
Cited text: 4M posts.
Excerpt: Raw Meat Diet content has generated 4M posts
https://www.tiktok.com/channel/raw-meat-diet?lang=en
TikTok: Experts are warning against the viral Raw Meat Diet
Cited text: The hashtag #RawMeatDiet —which has over 348 million views — brings up countless videos arguing that eating raw meat helps “increase energy and improv...
Excerpt: helps 'increase energy and improve digestion'
https://www.ajc.com/pulse/tiktok-ex...ral-raw-meat-diet/EZL7H433CNBLHA6GLEC3M5B2ZE/
Meet the Lady Carnivores Taking Over TikTok With Butter and Raw Meat
Cited text: While male carnivore influencers tend to focus on getting “ripped” and maximizing their masculinity, the trend is very different among female influenc...
Excerpt: Female influencers primarily focus on weight loss, skin conditions, and autoimmune disorders
https://www.rollingstone.com/cultur...rs-carnivore-diet-healthy-harmful-1234990941/
Food poisoning—symptoms, causes and treatment | healthdirect
Cited text: ... Each year, there are an estimated 4.1 million cases of food poisoning in Australia.
Excerpt: Each year, there are an estimated 4.1 million cases of food poisoning in Australia
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/food-poisoning
Foodborne disease outbreaks | Queensland Health
Cited text: The total annual cost to society for foodborne illness is $1.249 billion.
Excerpt: The total annual cost to society for foodborne illness is $1.249 billion
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clini...seases-infection/diseases/foodborne/outbreaks
Foodborne disease outbreaks | Queensland Health
Cited text: On average, there are more than 230,000 cases of Campylobacter and 55,000 cases of Salmonella each year.
Excerpt: On average, there are more than 230,000 cases of Campylobacter and 55,000 cases of Salmonella each year
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clini...seases-infection/diseases/foodborne/outbreaks
Why TikTok Influencers Are Eating Raw Beef (And Why You Shouldn't) - The Takeout
Cited text: With over 48 million foodborne illnesses reported annually across the U.S., according to the CDC, the risks associated with the raw meat diet are glar...
Excerpt: With over 48 million foodborne illnesses reported annually across the U.S.
https://www.thetakeout.com/1788063/why-tiktok-eating-raw-beef-dangerous/
Why TikTok Influencers Are Eating Raw Beef (And Why You Shouldn't) - The Takeout
Cited text: Pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter are commonly found in raw beef, often originating from contamination during slaughtering.
Excerpt: Pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter are commonly found in raw beef, often originating from contamination during slaughtering
https://www.thetakeout.com/1788063/why-tiktok-eating-raw-beef-dangerous/
TikTok: Experts are warning against the viral Raw Meat Diet
Cited text: Raw meat often contains harmful bacteria, like salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium perfringens, which can lead to severe food poisoning, the CDC note...
Excerpt: raw meat often contains harmful bacteria, like salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium perfringens, which can lead to severe food poisoning
https://www.ajc.com/pulse/tiktok-ex...ral-raw-meat-diet/EZL7H433CNBLHA6GLEC3M5B2ZE/
Meet the Lady Carnivores Taking Over TikTok With Butter and Raw Meat
Cited text: “What I see almost across the board with the female carnivore influencers is this sense that the Western diet is toxic, Western medicine is toxic, and...
Excerpt: 'What I see almost across the board with the female carnivore influencers is this sense that the Western diet is toxic, Western medicine is toxic, and we have found something that will bring you true health,'
https://www.rollingstone.com/cultur...rs-carnivore-diet-healthy-harmful-1234990941/
Why Experts Warn The Latest TikTok Raw Meat Trend Could Send You to the ER | VegNews
Cited text: “In a strict carnivore diet whereby no plant foods are allowed, the body is stripped of any opportunity to have phytonutrients that protect us from ca...
Excerpt: 'In a strict carnivore diet whereby no plant foods are allowed, the body is stripped of any opportunity to have phytonutrients that protect us from cancer and many chronic diseases,'
https://vegnews.com/experts-warn-against-tiktok-raw-meat-diet
Why Experts Warn The Latest TikTok Raw Meat Trend Could Send You to the ER | VegNews
Cited text: Healthline expert Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD says: “No controlled studies support claims that the carnivore diet can help eliminate health issues.
Excerpt: 'No controlled studies support claims that the carnivore diet can help eliminate health issues'
https://vegnews.com/experts-warn-against-tiktok-raw-meat-diet
Why TikTok Influencers Are Eating Raw Beef (And Why You Shouldn't) - The Takeout
Cited text: To avoid contamination, cook steak to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, and ground meat to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Excerpt: The USDA recommends cooking steak to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, and ground meat to 160 degrees Fahrenheit
https://www.thetakeout.com/1788063/why-tiktok-eating-raw-beef-dangerous/
Australian food recall statistics | Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Cited text: Only a small number of food recalls are linked to reported cases of illness or injury.
Excerpt: Only a small number of food recalls are linked to reported cases of illness or injury
https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/food-recalls/recallstats
Australian food recall statistics | Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Cited text: From 2020 to 2024 there were 90 food recalls due to microbial contamination, one of which was attributed to multiple microbe types.
Excerpt: there were 90 food recalls due to microbial contamination
https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/food-recalls/recallstats
Australian food recall statistics | Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Cited text: As shown in Figure 9, the most common microbes were Listeria monocytogenes (28 recalls; 31 per cent), Salmonella spp. (21 recalls; 23 per cent) and Escherichia coli (...
Excerpt: Listeria monocytogenes accounting for 31 per cent and Salmonella for 23 per cent
https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/food-recalls/recallstats
Why TikTok Influencers Are Eating Raw Beef (And Why You Shouldn't) - The Takeout
Cited text: Some medical experts even speculate that cooking meat instead of consuming it raw helped humans evolve by making it safer and easier to digest.
Excerpt: Some medical experts even speculate that cooking meat instead of consuming it raw helped humans evolve by making it safer and easier to digest
https://www.thetakeout.com/1788063/why-tiktok-eating-raw-beef-dangerous/
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