Squishy raw pork - gone bad?
I bought some pork loin chops and went to open the package and part of the meat was really squishy. I repackaged it and put it in the freezer to throw away later. I didn't notice any smell but didn't get too close to it and it looks fine otherwise. The best before date is three days from now. Is it common for meat to get squishy like this? I don't think it was tenderized. Thanks!
Best Answer
An important part of practicing food safety on your own kitchen, is looking out for any "red flags" in raw ingredients that may have the potential to sicken.
If something doesn't smell right, doesn't look right, or as in your case, doesn't feel right; it is a red flag that you should pay attention to. It might be safe to eat, but why take any chances?
Supermarkets have been known to treat expired meat with ammonia or bleach, and then repackage it with an extended expiration date. Such despicable practices are hopefully rare, but pre-seasoning soon-to-expire meats and poultry, and repackaging with a later date is quite common.
You don't need to save the meat itself, but keep the package label (and receipt if you still have it), and bring it back to your store for a refund. Most stores will give you your money back with no hassle.
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How can you tell if raw pork has gone bad?
It may be moist, but it should not be at all slimy in texture. When pork begins to spoil, it will develop a sour odor that will deepen and intensify over time. Once the pork begins to smell sour, it is time to let it go. If you try to cook the pork, it will just make the unpleasant taste and odor even stronger.Is my pork spoiled?
Main Signs Pork Has Gone BadIf you get an unpleasant scent, then chances are it has gone bad. Rotten pork smells sour - detect any off smell, though, and you should probably discard it immediately. I should warn you that some packaged pork has a faint smell of ammonia, which can seem like a sour smell.Can you cook slightly spoiled pork?
Cooking Spoiled PorkThis type of spoilage bacteria will probably not make you sick if you cook the pork to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit -- or 160 F for ground pork. Another type of bacteria, however, called pathogenic bacteria, does not cause discernible changes to the meat, but can cause illness.What happens if you cook spoiled pork?
The Mayo Clinic says that food poisoning can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues. Cooking and eating spoiled pork, old chicken or any other bad meat isn't guaranteed to make you sick, though.A Man Ate Undercooked Pork, This Is What Doctors Found Inside His Brain
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