Glow in the Dark Pork.

Next time you’re eating bacon, flip off the lights and check to make sure it’s not glowing in the dark.

A woman in Shanghai was startled when she awoke to find the pork on her kitchen table glowing bright blue in the dark. After reporters broke the story, local health department experts investigated the incident. They found that the blue glow came from phosphorescent bacteria living on the meat.

Chinese health officials say the bacteria is no different than the everyday germs that live on pork other than they glow in the dark. Saying phosphorescent bacteria are similar to more common strains that are found on meat isn’t putting too many people at ease but it is good to know that they’re not from outer space.   

From chickens being fed metal to pigs on steroids China is the subject of a new food related controversy almost every month. As bizarre as it is, the glowing meat incident is nothing out of the norm. Since the 16th-century, people have been reporting glowing meat products from Rome to Austria to Australia. 

Glowing meat is terrifying and weird and they say it’s no more dangerous than non-glowing meat but for some reason that doesn’t bring me any comfort.