So now that you know some of the reasons why meat changes color, how do you know if it's safe to eat meat if its appearance seems off? The color isn't the only criteria, and may not even indicate a problem. Here's how to determine if you should eat meat that has changed color or discarded it.
So Is It Safe to Eat?
The good news is, even if there's a color change — which might not be as visually appetizing — the meat or poultry is still perfectly fine to eat if stored properly in the refrigerator or freezer and consumed within a safe period of time (up to two days for ground meat and five days for other cuts).What you really want to watch out for even more so than color change, is meat or poultry that has a bad odor or is sticky, tacky, or slimy to the touch. Let your other senses be your guide in these instances.
We don't know about you, but there was a lot here that we didn't know about meat and what it means when it changes color. We've been guilty of erring on the side of safety and simply tossing any meat that doesn't look quite right, but we're relieved to know that we might not have to waste it by throwing it away. From now on, we'll definitely be following these tips when evaluating meat and if it's safe to use!
Article Source: The Kitchn
Roger Heisler