How to Tell If the Pork is Bad: Simple Steps You Need to Know
Don’t wish to throw away the pork lying in the fridge? Then you should ensure that the pork hasn’t gone bad.
Pork can harbor all kinds of bacteria and parasites if not handled correctly. Consuming spoilt pork can make you fall ill. Does pork smelling like sulfur indicate it’s spoilt? If not, then how to tell if pork is bad? How to know if the pork has gone bad?
Here are few steps which will help you determine if your pork is bad and how to prevent pork from going bad. You’ll find these tips helpful when you’re looking to enjoy some pork.
How to Tell if Pork is Bad?
If you are unsure about how to tell if pork is bad or pork chops are bad, you can do the following tests to check it:
Step 1: Smell It
If the pork has ammonia, rotten egg, or sulfur-like smell, chances are it has been contaminated by bacteria and shouldn’t be eaten.
If it was vacuum packed, it might have an odor from the process of packaging it, but that should go away after rinsing it under cold water.
Fresh pork does have an unpleasant smell, but that isn’t very strong. It vanishes once the pork is washed or aired.
Step 2: Check the Color
So, how to tell if pork is bad by simply checking the color? If you notice that the pork has turned green, brown, or grayish, it means that the pork has gone bad. Discolored pork chops also indicate spoilt pork.
Eating such pork can make you very sick. As for the color of fresh pork, it should be pink or whitish.
Step 3: Feel the Meat
Before buying the pork, you should check it for freshness. After all, you want to make sure that the pork you’re talking home is safe. How to tell if the pork is bad by touching?
If the pork feels dry, sticky, or hard, chances are the pork is spoilt and shouldn’t be bought. Fresh pork feels moist and firm, but not overly firm.
Step 4: Check the Expiration Date
This is the most obvious step. Simply check the expiration date. You won’t want to buy pork when it is past its expiration date.
Also, check for holes in the packet which makes the pork susceptible to bacteria and viruses.
What Happens When You Eat Bad Pork?
If you have consumed pork and feel sick, you should see a doctor right away. If you’re wondering what symptoms to look for, the Centers for Disease Control recommend seeing a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms after eating possibly spoiled pork:
- Diarrhea along with a high fever (over 101.5 °F, measured orally)
- Blood in your stool
- Vomiting
- Dehydration sign like decreased urination, dry mouth, and throat, feeling dizzy when you stand up
- Diarrhea lasting for more than three days
If you have any of these symptoms, it is better to head to your nearest emergency room.
How to Prevent Pork from Going Bad?
There are ways to keep pork fresh and to prevent it from going bad. These steps should be followed every time you purchase pork.
To ensure that your pork stays safe to eat, here are a few suggestions:
- Keep the shelf life in mind. Keep it in the fridge for only three to four days. After that, it will need to be either frozen or cooked. If you discover the meat is freezer burnt, just trim off the burnt portions for a better taste.
- Use freezer bag to store pork in your fridge or freezer. Be sure to take it out of its plastic wrapping before putting it in the freezer bag. Try to remove as much air as possible from the bag. This will minimize freezer burn and oxidation.
- Consume within six months if frozen.
- Refrigerate at a minimum of 40 °F.
Conclusion
Now you know how to tell if pork is bad, you can avoid consuming spoilt pork and falling sick. Pork is amazingly delicious. It’s a very naturally flavorful meat.
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