meat

[martyrobbins]

How can you tell when meat is bad? My girlfreind says when they start turning brown, what does that mean? Does it have E-Coli? Will it make me sick? I dont what to ask a million questions but she also says you cant refeeze meat.

Any advise? I dont what to get sick, but I dont like throwing away my protein supply :cry

[Bogatyr]

be safe. Chuck it.

[martyrobbins]

so refreezing meat ruins it?

[Smiley]

I'm in the meat industry, Refreezing meat is not a good idea especially if it has been thawed for a while. The meat going brown is fine it is only a visual thing, I'm told that it is basically the same as metal rusting it is oxidising reacting with the air. In many cases this will be the better tasting meat.

Basically if it doesn't smell bad then it will be ok, you will be able to smell the bacteria if the bug count is too high. Be especially carefull with chicken but pork and red meat is a lot more forgiving, hope that helps.:bigsmile

[martyrobbins]

Thanks Smiley, thats what I wanted to know, but what happens to the meat when refrooze? Can I still eat it? thanks

[Smiley]

If you thaw meat and re freeze it the bug count will go up. If it was frezen when it was very fresh from slaughter and the it is only just thawed and re frozen again very soon without it getting too warn then it would be ok to refreeze. If you have meat currently that has be re frozen thaw it and give it the smell test basically, i won't guarantee it either way but it may be ok.

[martyrobbins]

Smiley, thanks bro thats what I wanted to hear. It was frooze when we got it then had to thaw a little, just enough so it could be cut at grocery store. Meat never got warm, it was in an ice chest.

Thanks for the quick replies Smiley

[Smiley]

Yip that sounds fine my friend. It is fairly common to do that.

[Gator_Mclusky]

Pork u can freeze and refreeze.
I find once beef loses its color it loses flavor as well.....
Thats just with me...

[billyb]

Just be smart about, and if you do reuse it always make sure you have cooked it high enough.