Wet Cooked Ham Slices
If you were to open a packet of cooked ham slices and they were wet, is that a bad sign? Are they gone bad? Is it ok to eat them?
Best Answer
Extra water in cooked ham is 100% fine to eat, see here. In general, you can use the printed "use by" date if you're in the US and you'll be safe. I'm adding my answer to provide an authoritative source for you, so you'll know for certain you won't get sick from it.
Quotation, for @adamlynch:
HAM: In order to be labeled as "Ham," the product must be at least 20.5% protein in lean portion as described in 9 CFR 319.104. Added water is permitted in a product labeled as "Ham." In fact, water will be declared in order of predominance in the ingredients statement. This is how the cure solution is introduced into a ham.
HAM AND WATER PRODUCTS X% of Weight is Added Ingredients: Product contains more additives than a "Ham Water Added," but the product name must indicate percent of "added ingredients." For example, "Ham and Water Product 25% of Weight is Added Ingredients" for any canned ham with less than 17.0% protein.
As you can see, water added to ham is perfectly safe to eat, as it's normal for it to be present in the ham.
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Why does sliced ham get slimy?
What is the slime on ham? The slime that forms on your ham or any other type of deli meat is most likely to be fat. After a few days open, laying around in your fridge, deli meat starts its rotting process. Therefore, the fat that is inside the meat begins to melt, and it leaks out.Why is sliced ham wet?
Added water is permitted in a product labeled as "Ham." In fact, water will be declared in order of predominance in the ingredients statement. This is how the cure solution is introduced into a ham.Why is there water in my ham?
A ham that says \u201cwater added\u201415%\u201d means it weighs 15% more than its raw weight. Ham and water product Most producers of this lowest grade pump as much water as they can into the ham, which adds weight and allows them to sell it at a lower price.Is ham still good if its slimy?
When it comes to visual signs, if it's cooked or cured and it turned slimy, it's definitely past it's prime, and you should get rid of it. Same thing if there are any greenish, greyish, or other discolored parts. In other words, if it doesn't look like a \u201chealthy\u201d piece of meat, it's done for.How to Cook Ham Steak
More answers regarding wet Cooked Ham Slices
Answer 2
Yes, they are okay to eat.
There is a rumour here (Europe), but I don't know if it's true, that companies put water in the ham to have more weight. And of course, water costs less than ham, so they have more profit.
Answer 3
It is true water is added, but I beleive in USA only a certain percentage it allowed. It can also be a sign that the packages was almost if not completely frozen. When that happens, defronsting forces out the water. I just wrap the entire stack in paper towels and let it sit on a plate for a few minutes to draw out the extra water.
Chances are it is fine, but always use your nose and follow my simple philosophy... When in doubt, throw it out. It's much cheaper than getting food poisoning.
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