What is the padding with red substance inside of steak packaging?
When I buy steaks, sometimes they include a padding in the packaging, on which the steak sits, which contains a red substance:
What is it? What is its purpose, and can I assume, that it is not poisonous? I unintentionally cut into this one and it had some contact with the steak.
Best Answer
That "padding" is an absorbent pad made of paper and plastic; the "red substance" inside is the juices (often mistakenly believed to be "blood") that have seeped out of the meat; the purpose of the absorbent pad is to absorb this liquid and keep the interior of the tray dry. Without it, the liquid would pool up and potentially spill out when the tray was opened or handled. Because the "red substance" came from the meat itself, no, it is not poisonous; the packaging is regulated to prevent toxic components from being used, so it too is not poisonous.
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Quick Answer about "What is the padding with red substance inside of steak packaging?"
That "padding" is an absorbent pad made of paper and plastic; the "red substance" inside is the juices (often mistakenly believed to be "blood") that have seeped out of the meat; the purpose of the absorbent pad is to absorb this liquid and keep the interior of the tray dry.Is the absorbent pad in meat toxic to humans?
According to the USDA Food Safety and Information Services, as long as the absorbent pad is not melted, torn apart, or broken open after the meat has been cooked, your food is safe to consume.What is the red liquid in meat packages?
As meat ages and is handled or cut, proteins lose their ability to hold onto water. Over time, some water is released and myoglobin flows out with it, giving the liquid a red or pink color. When the water seeps out, the protein that gives meat its color (myoglobin) flows out with the water.What is in the absorbent pad under meat?
The majority of these pads are made from one of two absorptive materials: Silica gel (a purified sand) or cellulose (a purified plant fiber), which are then coated in a non-toxic plastic wrapping that's perforated, allowing the liquid to seep in and stay there.What is the red fluid in steak?
Although Andr\xe9s jokes that he took some inspiration from Dracula, the juice from a steak isn't actually blood \u2014 it's myoglobin, an oxygen-storing protein that changes color when exposed to heat.Myth: The Liquid at the Bottom of a Meat Package is Blood
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