I have an unopened bag of dog treats that is puffed up like a balloon about to burst.
And Ive seen similar packages of swollen plastic wrap in the meat section at the grocery store.
Here’s what I found out from the experts.
Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn
And MAP does sometimes make the packaging bloat.
We see this with the normal overwrap with Styrofoam trays used by grocers or in vacuum-packed products.
Oxygen is the most likely culprit for spoilage in food packages.
Simply Recipes / Tara Omidvar
An oxygen-rich environment can cause food to go bad and lose its nutrients.
When microorganisms grow, they emit a gas such as carbon dioxide which can cause the package to engorge.
Much like humans, when bacteria eat, they create waste in the form of chemicals and gasses.
Simply Recipes / Nick Evans
In this case, you do not want to be opening the package because it will smell quite bad.
Simply Recipes / Tara Omidvar
Are Swollen Meat Packages Safe to Eat?
Take a look at similar packages, he suggests.
If theyre equally puffy, then its likely on purpose.
If any of those accompany the swelling, then toss the meat.
Thats 165F for chicken, 160F for ground meats, and 145F for steaks, chops, and roasts.
At this point, there is sufficient spoilage.
To keep meat from puffing up at home, ensure its refrigerated and that you use it quickly.
If you wont use it in a timely manner, then freeze it to keep it from becoming spoiled.
