Like any other old, spoiled food, bad meat can make you sick. If the meat has been contaminated with something pathogenic, like bacteria or toxins, it can make you sick.
People who eat rancid meat are likely to get sick. Food-borne illness can occur after you’ve eaten bad meat that contains harmful microbes or toxins.
Roast beef is a beloved staple that graces holiday tables and potlucks year-round. When properly stored and prepared, it makes for a savory, tender and mouthwatering dish. However, eating spoiled roast beef can have serious health implications.
Understanding the risks of consuming bad roast beef spotting signs of spoilage and properly handling and cooking the meat are key to avoid foodborne illness. Let’s explore what can happen if you eat rotten roast beef and how to ensure its safety and freshness.
Foodborne Illness is a Major Risk
Eating spoiled roast beef can expose you to a slew of dangerous bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause severe food poisoning or foodborne illness. The most common culprits include
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Salmonella – Causes diarrhea, vomiting, fever and cramps within 12-72 hours of consumption. At-risk groups like infants, elderly and those with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable.
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E. Coli – Can lead to bloody diarrhea, vomiting and fever 2-8 days after ingestion. Potentially life-threatening complications include kidney failure.
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Listeria – Listeria infection causes fever, headache, nausea and diarrhea. Can be fatal for at-risk groups like pregnant women, newborns and elderly.
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Staphylococcus Aureus – Leads to vomiting and diarrhea 1-6 hours after consuming. Also causes dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
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Clostridium Perfringens – Results in severe diarrhea, cramps and abdominal pain within 6-24 hours of eating contaminated beef.
The bottom line is you should never take risks with spoiled roast beef, as foodborne illness can be severe or even fatal. Always inspect the beef carefully before cooking and consuming.
How to Tell If Roast Beef Has Gone Bad
Luckily there are several clear signs that indicate spoiled roast beef:
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Bad Smell – Fresh roast beef has a slight iron-like smell. Spoiled meat gives off an unpleasant, rancid odor.
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Discoloration – Raw roast beef is purplish-red when fresh. Grey, green or brown hues indicate it has gone bad.
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Slimy Texture – Rotten roast beef develops a sticky, slimy feel and appearance. Fresh meat is dry and slightly firm.
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Mold Growth – Mold on the surface of raw or cooked roast beef is a clear sign of spoilage. Discard immediately.
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Expired Date – Don’t consume roast beef past its sell-by or use-by date printed on the label. This increases risk of foodborne illness.
When inspecting roast beef, consider all your senses. If it smells, looks or feels off, it’s safest to toss it out. Don’t risk getting sick from iffy meat.
Proper Handling Reduces Spoilage Risk
To avoid spoiled roast beef, proper storage, thawing and cooking methods are key:
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Refrigerate Promptly – Refrigerate or freeze roast beef within 2 hours of purchasing. Keep at 40°F or below.
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Separate Raw Meat – Store raw roast beef securely wrapped on the bottom shelf of the fridge to avoid cross-contamination.
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Observe Expiration Dates – Cook or freeze roast beef by the use-by date on the label. Discard if expired.
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Thaw Safely – Thaw frozen roast beef overnight in the fridge, never at room temperature. Cook immediately once thawed.
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Cook Thoroughly – Cook roast beef to at least 145°F internal temperature, until no longer pink inside. Use a meat thermometer to check.
Following proper food safety practices reduces your risk of consuming contaminated roast beef. Take the right precautions when buying, storing, handling and cooking.
What to Do If You Eat Bad Roast Beef
If you suspect you’ve eaten spoiled roast beef, watch for symptoms of foodborne illness, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Onset time can range from 1 hour to 1 week after eating contaminated meat.
See a doctor immediately if you have severe diarrhea lasting over 3 days, bloody stool, high fever, dehydration or neurological symptoms like blurred vision or disorientation.
To relieve mild symptoms at home, drink plenty of fluids, get extra rest, and eat bland foods like bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Call your doctor if symptoms don’t improve or worsen.
Let your doctor know you may have a foodborne illness from roast beef. Stool samples or blood tests may be ordered to pinpoint the exact bacteria making you sick. Most cases resolve on their own, but antibiotics may be prescribed for certain infections or high-risk individuals.
The key is getting medical care promptly if you have severe symptoms or are at higher risk for complications. Don’t take chances with foodborne illnesses.
Takeaway: Spot and Avoid Bad Roast Beef
See a doctor right away if you have concerning symptoms after eating roast beef. Practicing proper food safety and handling reduces your risk of consuming bad meat. With the right precautions, you can safely enjoy delicious roast beef without getting sick.
Freezing Meat and Meat Products
If you dont plan on eating your meat within the FDA-recommended time periods, you can keep your meat from going bad by freezing it at 0 degrees F. The USDA says that freezing food at this temperature inactivates bacteria and other microbes. Freezing food can even help destroy certain parasites.
The USDA says that food can technically be kept at zero degrees Fahrenheit indefinitely. However, your meats quality will decline if its kept in the freezer for too long. The FDA recommends the following limits:
- Poultry to be frozen for up to 12 months.
- Ground meat to be frozen for up to 4 months.
- Hot dogs to be frozen for up to2 months.
- Bacon to be frozen for up to 1 month.
- Steaks to be frozen for up to 12 months.
- Organ meat to be frozen for up to 4 months.
Whether its fresh or frozen, meat needs to be cooked thoroughly to kill all bacteria thats present in it. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says you should cook most meats to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Poultry needs to be cooked to a slightly higher internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Preventing Meat From Going Bad
According to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, you should always keep meat and meat products in your refrigerator at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps prevent spoilage. However, the duration of time meat can be kept at this temperature depends on the product. The FDA states that:
- Poultry can be kept in your refrigerator for two days.
- You can keep ground meat, like sausages, in the fridge for two days.
- You can keep hot dogs in the fridge for one to two weeks.
- Bacon can be kept in your refrigerator for 7 days.
- You can keep steaks in the fridge for up to five days.
- You can keep offal (organ meat) in the fridge for two to five days.
If you leave meat at 40 degrees F for more than this long, it will slowly start to break down.
How can I tell if my meat’s gone bad?
FAQ
What happens if you eat spoiled roast beef?
Can you cook slightly spoiled meat?
What happens if you eat bad beef?
Some bacteria with a long incubation period, such as Listeria monocytogenes, may not produce symptoms for a month. If you discover you ate bad beef, yet do not experience symptoms immediately, do not continue to eat the meat, assuming that the symptoms will not occur.
Is it bad to eat processed meat?
Eating small amounts of processed meat on special occasions will not harm your health. However, the evidence from many observational studies suggests that consuming high amounts of processed meat increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
What causes a bad beef roast?
Due to this, vomiting and loose stools are commonly observed. The main reason behind bacterial growth is beef being left at room temperature for a long time. There are several micro-organisms found in a bad beef roast that can harm your stomach and intestine. The most common bacteria include Salmonella and E.coli.
Can you eat a bad beef roast?
Merely putting in spices and letting the beef cook will not make a good roast. Rather it is the freshness of the meat that counts the most. If the beef is fresh, the roast will turn out delicious. Otherwise eating a bad beef roast will not only leave you hungry but also upset your digestive system.