Black Spot on Ground Beef?
So I bought some Lean Organic Ground Beef about a week ago, went straight into the Freezer. Used 3/4 of it for Hamburger helper, cooked all the way through...smelled fine and looked fine.
However I noticed on the Uneaten ground beef (was gonna save it in the freezer) (of course after i had eaten and was putting something in the freezer). That there was a black...small spot on the ground beef. I've seen spoiled meat/beef before and it's brown, however this was very dark and black and was very small. Now the rest of the meat I looked at/smelled and it was fine. And the meat wasn't past due or anything and it went STRAIGHT into the freezer.
What could this dark spot had been. It was QUITE dark and very small (maybe about the size of a match head). if so....do you think the rest of the meat was ok? considering I did cook it thoroughly, im just curious what the black spot was. Obviously I don't want to get mad cow disease or something lol
Best Answer
Obviously hard to know for sure. The laws and guidelines dictate use of food grade equipment so if a piece falls off and ingested, it does little harm. If you cooked it, then you have even less to worry.
As a precaution, I suggest taking it to the store and asking about it so other customers don't trip on the same issue. Harmless or otherwise. If they don't know for sure, then suggest to them to send in for a lab test.
In descending likelihood, it could be:
a piece of buna rubber broken off from a gasket (grinding machine, or other). Not a hazard. It's not far from chewing gum ;)
a piece of meat that came in contact with the lubricant oil in the machine. Also usually food grade. They turn dark after a while.
sometimes the meat branding ink on the outside ends up in the grind (also food grade). Though they are usually dark blue.
piece of old blood clot, liver or other organs.
not likely here, but I have heard Listeria shows up black. Though i'd imagine it would spread and look more fuzzy/furry. Most bacterium die during proper cooking.
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Quick Answer about "Black Spot on Ground Beef?"
a piece of meat that came in contact with the lubricant oil in the machine. Also usually food grade. They turn dark after a while. sometimes the meat branding ink on the outside ends up in the grind (also food grade).Is it safe to eat meat with dark spots?
Beef can sometimes develop a brown color due to metmyoglobin, a chemical reaction that occurs when the myoglobin in meat is exposed to oxygen. Freezing meat can also change its appearance. As long as the change in color isn't accompanied by other signs of spoilage, it should be fine.How can I tell if ground beef is bad?
Raw ground beef should be bright red on the outside and brownish on the inside. If its surface has turned thoroughly brown or gray or grown mold, it has gone bad and should be discarded.How can you tell if beef is rotten?
Spoiled meat will have a distinct, pungent smell that will make your face scrunch up. Texture \u2013 In addition to an unpleasant scent, spoiled meats can be sticky or slimy to the touch. Color \u2013 Rotten meats will also undergo a slight change in color.Steak OXIDATION Experiment! SURPRISING RESULTS!!!
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Answer 2
I know this is an old thread, but I have a clue and was hoping for confirmation. It happened to me a couple of times and I suspect the black spots occur at the point where meat is squeezed between the rotary blade and the shaft. I ruled out that there's anything wrong with the meat or any foreign substance (such as lube) from the grinder. Just some weird chemical reaction with the metal blade that turns the meat dark.
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