What You Need to Know. Chitlins can contain a harmful germ called Yersinia. Young children are the most likely to get sick from Yersinia, but the germ can make anyone sick. Always keep children out of the kitchen when preparing chitlins.

Is chitlins bad for your health?

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.

Do chitlins have poop in them?

Chitterlings are, in fact, pig intestines. As you can imagine, the intestines carry feces. ... This will not change the taste of your chitlins and actually makes it easier to clean them. If you don't have time to boil-cool-clean-cook, then you can clean them using hot water instead of cold.