Coleman Natural Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon is a family favorite. It tastes salty and is crispy and satisfying. The average American eats about 18 pounds of bacon a year, so it’s not surprising that it’s often gone within a day or two of being brought home from the store or delivered to your door.
However, sometimes your bacon might get pushed to the back of the fridge. Or perhaps you find yourself buying a bit more than your family can eat. Before long, you might be wondering whether your bacon has gone bad or is still edible.
No matter how natural the ingredients are that are used to cure and smoke our bacon, it doesn’t stay fresh forever. If you want to know if your bacon is safe to eat, let’s talk about how it was packaged and four signs that it’s time to throw it away. Table of Contents.
Bacon is a beloved breakfast staple in many households But what if you go to cook up some bacon and notice fuzzy mold growth on the strips? You may be wondering if it’s safe to simply cut off the mold and eat the rest Here, we’ll explore whether or not you can eat moldy bacon.
The short answer is no – you should not eat any bacon that has mold on it, even if you cut off the visibly moldy parts. Mold can penetrate deep into the meat, sovisible mold is a sign that the whole piece is contaminated Consuming moldy bacon can cause food poisoning and other health issues
Below, we’ll take a closer look at the risks of eating moldy bacon, signs of mold to look out for, and how to prevent mold growth in the first place.
Dangers of Eating Moldy Bacon
Eating moldy bacon comes with several health hazards:
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Food poisoning – Mold produces toxic chemicals called mycotoxins. Consuming these can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
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Allergic reaction – Some people are sensitive to molds and may experience hives, asthma, or anaphylaxis from eating moldy foods.
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Respiratory issues – Inhaling mold spores from contaminated bacon can irritate lungs and worsen conditions like asthma.
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Liver damage – Certain molds produce aflatoxins which can harm the liver if consumed.
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Cancer risk—Some studies show that mold mycotoxins raise the risk of getting cancer over time.
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Suppressed immunity – Mold mycotoxins may suppress the immune system with regular exposure.
Even a small amount of moldy bacon can make you sick. And mold can be invisible, spreading below the food’s surface. So it’s not worth taking any chances with moldy bacon.
How To Identify Moldy Bacon
Mold on bacon may appear fuzzy or hairy and can range in color:
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Green mold – Can appear blue-green, yellow-green, or olive green. A common food mold.
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White mold – Powdery white mold is also common. May appear fuzzy.
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Black mold – Looks thick and velvety and can appear dark green in some cases.
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Pink mold – Has a pinkish tone and resembles cotton candy in texture.
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Gray mold – Has a grayish, fuzzy appearance.
Mold can grow quickly on meat products. Check the expiry date and inspect bacon carefully before use. Any discoloration, fuzziness, or slimy film could indicate mold. Smell the bacon too – a sour, musty odor can signal spoilage.
If you spot any mold at all on bacon, play it safe and throw it out. Visible mold indicates deeper contamination. Don’t take risks by eating any part of it.
Proper Bacon Storage
Storing bacon properly is key to preventing mold growth. Here are some bacon storage tips:
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Keep unopened bacon in the original packaging. Don’t open it until ready to use.
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Once opened, rewrap bacon tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container.
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Store bacon on the bottom shelf of the fridge, away from fresh produce which can hasten spoilage.
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Cooked bacon should be used within 4-5 days and kept sealed in the fridge.
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Freezing can extend shelf life. Freeze strips in a single layer separated by parchment paper.
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Optimal freezer storage time is 1-2 months. Bacon loses quality over longer freezing.
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Thaw frozen bacon slowly in the fridge overnight before cooking.
Following safe storage methods keeps bacon fresh and inhibits mold growth. Discard bacon immediately if you see any fuzzy spots or slime.
Safe Handling of Bacon
Along with proper storage, handling bacon safely is also crucial:
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Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling raw bacon. Don’t contaminate other foods.
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Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw bacon and ready-to-eat foods.
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Cook bacon thoroughly until crispy. Raw or undercooked bacon can harbor pathogens.
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Don’t leave bacon at room temperature more than 2 hours total before cooking.
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Refrigerate cooked bacon within 1 hour and use within 3-5 days. Toss out moldy leftovers.
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When reheating, ensure cooked bacon reaches 165°F internally to kill any bacteria.
Safe handling prevents foodborne illnesses from Salmonella, E. coli and other pathogens potentially present in raw pork.
Healthy Alternatives to Bacon
If you don’t want to deal with the risks and quick spoilage of bacon, healthier alternatives include:
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Turkey bacon – Lower fat than pork bacon but provides savory flavor.
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Mushrooms – Grilled portobello mushrooms can mimic bacon’s texture.
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Tofu – Marinated then baked tofu makes a satisfying plant-based swap.
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Tempeh – Smoky baked tempeh strips mimic the rich umami taste of bacon.
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Eggplant – Thinly sliced eggplant can be roasted until crispy for a bacon taste.
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Veggies – Brussels sprouts, kale, and carrots take well to bacon seasoning.
Experiment with these foods and seasonings like smoked paprika, liquid smoke, and maple syrup to satisfy your bacon craving the healthy way!
The Verdict: Don’t Eat Moldy Bacon!
In conclusion, bacon that has mold on it should always be discarded. Consuming moldy bacon, even in small amounts, poses a real risk of food poisoning and other harmful effects. Mold can spread invisibly through the meat, so don’t attempt to cut away the moldy parts.
While bacon is delicious, it’s highly prone to spoilage. Follow safe storage methods like refrigerating unopened packs and using opened bacon within 4-5 days. Check for expiry dates and inspect for any fuzziness, discoloration or off smells.
If you do get unlucky and find your bacon has mold, don’t take chances. Toss it out and get a fresh pack. With proper storage and handling, you can enjoy tasty bacon safely and mold-free!
IT DOESN’T SMELL QUITE RIGHT
Bacon shouldn’t have a strong, rancid scent. If anything, it should smell a bit smoky.
If you’re met with a sour or sulfuric odor, your bacon has likely gone bad. This stench occurs when bacteria, yeast, and fungi take hold of the bacon. The microbes may produce odors themselves or cause the bacon to release off-putting aromas.
Sometimes bacon’s distinct smoky smell can mask these odors. So, if you’re not sure, you should also look for other signs that your bacon is past its prime.
How Long Is Bacon Safe to Eat After Opening?
It’s possible that you want to know how fast bacon goes bad now that you know how to tell.
As soon as you open a package of bacon, it becomes exposed to the air, and thus the bacteria and fungi lurking in the environment. Even if you reseal your bacon after opening, the initial exposure has begun the chemical reactions leading to spoilage. Therefore, you can expect open bacon to last for no longer than a week in the refrigerator, according to AllRecipes.
What Happens If You Eat Mold?
FAQ
Can eating moldy bacon make you sick?
What does mold on bacon look like?
What do you do if you eat moldy bacon bits?
How to tell if your bacon is bad?
Can you eat moldy food?
If you see mold on food that’s been lingering in your fridge, your first thought is probably to automatically toss it. But there are some foods—not many, but some—that are safe to eat moldy, if you handle them correctly. The biggest problem with moldy foods is that cutting away the visibly moldy sections isn’t fully getting rid of the mold.
Can one eat bacon with diverticulosis?
You can eat bacon with diverticulosis, but it is not the most recommended. In a person with diverticulosis, it is recommended to consume foods with soluble fiber such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
Should you eat mold on bananas?
Think about a banana with mold on the outside of the peel. “It’s not actually on the fruit, so that doesn’t seem to be very harmful because you’re not eating the mold,” says Dr. Craggs-Dino. Of course, if bananas don’t smell right or there is mold on the stem (which could more easily penetrate the fruit), it’s best to throw them away.
Is it safe to eat mold?
While most people will not experience adverse reactions, it is unsafe to consume mold. “A lot of problems with the mold is that it can harbor other infections or cohabitation, bacterial infections, and those can obviously carry different ramifications,” said Lee. This includes listeria.