What causes mold to grow on frozen meats?
About 8 months ago we had a beef processed a meat processing plant. When we picked up the meat it was all pre-packaged and frozen. We immediately put it all in the freezer when we got home to be sure it stayed frozen. Now I am finding packages of ground beef that has blue and green mold on the meat while it is frozen. How does this happen? We have had to throw away at least 15 pounds of ground beef.
Best Answer
Frozen food does not necessarily stay edible forever. There are some microbes that love (even extremely) cold climate. Such microbes are called cryophiles and can survive or even need temperatures as low as -15°C. There are microbes that show activity at temperatures as low as ~-200°C (http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Colwellia_psychrerythraea).
However, if you store your food at at least -18°C, most microbes will go dormant and you can store it for a long time without problems. Above that, however, there are several microbes that can and will grow and spoil your food, though I can't tell you which ones in particular. That's the reason frozen food bought in a store (in germany at least) has a label how cold it has to be stored for the minimum shelf-life to apply (often includes a table for minimum shelf-life at various temperatures as well).
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Quick Answer about "What causes mold to grow on frozen meats?"
There are some microbes that love (even extremely) cold climate. Such microbes are called cryophiles and can survive or even need temperatures as low as -15°C. There are microbes that show activity at temperatures as low as ~-200°C (http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Colwellia_psychrerythraea).Can frozen meat grow mold?
While freezing does inactivate any food-borne bugs (like bacteria or mold) in your frozen leftovers, they'll begin to grow again when the food is thawed out.What causes mold to grow in freezer?
Freezer burn and mold can accumulate on the inside of your refrigerator or freezer if they are not cleaned. Ice can also form on the freezer walls if the temperature setting is too cold for an extended period. All of this can harm the foods inside the unit and can cause damage to the appliance itself.What causes meat to mold?
Cooked leftover meat and poultry Foods with high moisture content can be contaminated below the surface. Moldy foods may also have bacteria growing along with the mold.What causes the growth of molds?
Water: Molds thrive in damp, humid, and wet conditions. They require water to grow and spread, which is why it is recommended to keep homes \u2013 especially walls and carpets \u2013 as dry as possible. Water leaks, flooding, high humidity, and condensation all provide moisture mold can use to grow and spread.Why Mold Is So Hard To Kill
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Answer 2
That blue and green"mold" was likely edible ink used to identify and stamp an inspected seal on the beef carcass.
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