The last thing you want to do when making dinner is serve ribs that look or smell bad. Nor do you want to dish up bad pork chops that could cause people to fall sick. Fortunately, there are some pretty clear tip-offs when your pork is spoiled.
Find out the most common ways to tell if your pork has gone bad and what you need to know to stay safe around food.
When you purchase meat, youll typically see a sell-by date listed on the packaging. MSU says that stores use this date to figure out when to take food off the shelves and throw it away.
If you buy pork, the USDA says you should use or freeze it within 3 to 5 days of the sell-by date.
There may be more than one date on the package. There is a sell-by date and a use-by date. The use-by date tells you when to eat (or freeze) the food, according to Michigan State University. The expiration date is the date after which you should throw it away.
This is why Catie Beauchamp, PhD, vice president of food science, quality, and safety at ButcherBox, always tells people to check the use-by date on ready-to-eat foods like deli ham: “Sometimes you can’t tell when something is going bad with your senses.”
Pork roll, also known as Taylor ham, is a popular processed meat product commonly found in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and other parts of the Northeastern United States. With its salty, smoky and slightly sweet flavor, pork roll makes for a tasty breakfast meat or sandwich ingredient.
However, like any type of meat, pork roll does go bad eventually. Knowing how to tell if your pork roll has spoiled can help prevent you from eating contaminated meat and getting sick from foodborne illness.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about determining when pork roll has gone bad. We’ll look at the signs to watch out for in terms of smell appearance texture and expiration date.
5 Key Signs Your Pork Roll Has Spoiled
Here are the top indicators that your pork roll has gone bad and is no longer safe to eat:
1. It smells foul or “off”
One of the most telling signs of spoiled pork roll is an unpleasant or sour odor. Fresh pork roll has a mild aroma. If you notice an ammonia-like, rotten or eggy smell, it means bacteria have started multiplying and producing foul-smelling gases. This is a sure sign the pork roll has gone bad and should be discarded.
2. The color has changed
When fresh, pork roll is pink, tan or light brown in color. Over time, the color fades and becomes more grayish. If your pork roll has turned an unnatural green, blue or black shade, toss it out. These color changes indicate microbial growth.
3. The texture feels slimy
Fresh and unspoiled pork roll has a firm, smooth texture. If your pork roll feels unusually soft, slimy or sticky, it has spoiled due to bacteria. The slimy texture makes it apparent the meat has begun deteriorating.
4. It’s past the expiration date
Always check the “sell by” or “use by” date on the pork roll package. This will give you a good idea of when it will start going bad. If the date has passed, throw the pork roll away even if there are no visible signs of spoilage. Food safety experts recommend using pork roll within 1 week of opening the package.
5. It has an off flavor or smell when cooked
If you’re in the process of cooking pork roll and notice a rancid smell or unusual taste, stop cooking and discard the meat. These are signs that bacteria have multiplied during storage and could make you sick. It’s not worth taking a chance when pork roll tastes or smells “off.”
What Makes Pork Roll Go Bad?
There are a few main culprits that can cause pork roll to spoil:
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Bacteria – Pork roll contains moisture and nutrients, an ideal environment for bacteria like salmonella, listeria and E. coli to thrive. These bacteria produce gases and waste that leads to foul odors and slime.
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Yeast and mold – If stored in humid conditions, pork roll can develop mold growth. Yeast also causes spoilage.
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Oxidation – Exposure to air causes oxidation or rancidity. This changes the color and produces “off” smells.
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Temperature abuse – Fluctuating temperatures accelerate spoilage by encouraging microbial growth. Storing pork roll at unsafe temps is a common cause of spoilage.
Proper refrigeration and freezing prevents most spoilage. But once pork roll does show signs of going bad, it must be discarded. The pathogens cannot be reversed.
How Long Does Pork Roll Last When Properly Stored?
When stored correctly, pork roll can safely last:
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Unopened package – 2 to 3 months in the refrigerator; 6 to 9 months in the freezer
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After opening – 7 days in the refrigerator; 1 to 2 months in the freezer
The sell-by date on the package and visual signs of spoilage are better indicators of freshness than these suggested timelines. If the pork roll shows signs of spoilage before the recommended date, err on the side of caution and throw it away.
Can You Eat Pork Roll After the Sell-By Date?
It’s generally not recommended to eat pork roll after its sell-by or use-by date expires. These dates are decided by the manufacturer and indicate the last day the product will be at its highest quality.
However, the dates don’t necessarily mean the pork roll has gone bad or become unsafe right away after that date. You should still inspect it closely using your eyes, nose and fingers. If it looks, smells and feels normal, it may still be fine to eat for a short time beyond the date. But don’t wait longer than an extra week.
When in doubt, remember the old adage “when in doubt, throw it out.” Don’t take chances with your health.
Is It Safe to Eat Pork Roll After the Package is Puffed Up?
You should avoid eating pork roll from a package that appears puffed up or swollen. This can be a sign that air has entered the package and caused microbial growth.
However, a slight puffiness alone doesn’t necessarily mean the pork roll is spoiled. Look for other warning signs like an off smell, sticky texture or grayish color. If it seems normal otherwise, it may be safe to eat.
But if the puffy package is combined with other red flags, discard the pork roll. The bloating indicates it is perishing and could contain toxic bacteria. Don’t take risky chances with food safety.
Can You Get Sick from Eating Bad Pork Roll?
Yes, you can get sick from eating pork roll that has gone bad. The harmful bacteria that grow in spoiled pork roll can cause foodborne illness when ingested.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, headache, fever and chills. In severe cases, bad pork roll can even cause life-threatening complications.
People with weakened immune systems, older adults, young children and pregnant women are at highest risk for food poisoning. But even healthy adults can become seriously ill from consuming bad pork roll.
It’s crucial to identify signs of spoilage and avoid eating pork roll that could be contaminated. If in doubt, remember it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to questionable meat and poultry products.
How to Store Pork Roll Properly to Avoid Spoilage
Proper storage methods help pork roll stay fresh and unspoiled for as long as possible:
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Keep refrigerated at 40°F or below until ready to use. The cold temperature inhibits microbial growth.
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Use original packaging or wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil. This prevents air exposure and contamination.
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Freeze for long-term storage. Frozen pork roll lasts 6 to 9 months when properly wrapped.
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Don’t overstuff the fridge. Cold air must circulate freely to maintain safe temperatures.
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Use opened packages within 7 days. Throw away pork roll that is more than 1 week past opening.
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Practice good hygiene. Always wash hands before handling pork roll to prevent cross-contamination.
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Check temperature settings. Your fridge should be 40°F or below. Use a refrigerator thermometer to monitor.
Following the proper protocols helps pork roll stay fresh and delays spoilage. But once you see visible signs of spoilage, promptly discard the pork roll. Don’t take risks by tasting questionable meat.
Can You Cook and Safely Eat Pork Roll That Smells Bad?
It’s unsafe to cook and eat pork roll that already smells bad or shows other signs of spoilage.
Thorough cooking can destroy the bacteria in pork roll, but it doesn’t eliminate the toxins the bacteria produce as the meat spoils. Consuming these pre-formed toxins can still make you sick, even if the pork roll is cooked to a safe internal temperature.
Once pork roll shows signs of going bad, there is no way to safely “rescue” it. Cooking and eating spoiled pork roll is very risky. Stick to enjoying pork roll while it’s fresh and unspoiled for optimal safety and eating enjoyment.
The Bottom Line
Checking pork roll for signs of spoilage using your senses is the best way to determine if it has gone bad. Foul odors, color changes and slimy texture indicate microbial growth and toxin production.
While properly stored pork roll stays fresh for some time, it ultimately does go bad and must be discarded. Eating spoiled pork roll poses health risks you don’t want to take. When in doubt, remember it’s better to waste a little bit of money than get sick from consuming bad meat.
Its Packaging Is Puffy
Beauchamp says that if the pork bags are puffy, it means the pork has gone bad and you should throw it away. This occurs when the bacteria in the meat multiply and produce gases, which causes the packaging to bloat.
The Color Is Off
Amidor says, “You should look for fresh pork that is light pink and has firm, white fat.” An excessively dark color with soft or rancid fat is a sign that it might be spoiled. But color isnt always a decisive factor, Beauchamp points.
“While color may be an indicator of spoilage it doesnt always mean a product is spoiled,” she says. When oxygen gets into a package that isn’t tightly sealed, it can cause the color to change.
“Oxidization is a perfectly normal and safe occurrence,” Beauchamp says. Spoilage can occur if theres too much oxygen or too long of an exposure, she says.
Why Pork Roll (Or Taylor Ham) Rules New Jersey || Food/Groups
FAQ
Does pork roll go bad?
Is it okay to eat pork that smells a little?
How do I know if my pork is bad?
Mold is a tell-tale sign that your pork is past its prime and has gone bad. Mold flourishes in wet environments, and if you live in one, you should avoid storing pork for extended periods of time. If you find mold on your meat, you should discard it entirely. Do not try to remove the mold and cook the parts with no mold growth.
Why is pork not recommended to eat?
This is not true, some cuts like sirloin and pork rump steak, for example, are very healthy, even healthier than beef and chicken. Only the fattest cuts like bacon and crackling should be avoided.
How do you know if raw pork is safe to eat?
The color of your raw pork is a great indicator of whether it’s still safe to eat or not. Fresh pork should have a pinkish hue to it, and any other colors such as gray, brown, green or yellow should be avoided. 2. Smell Pork that has gone bad will often give off a sour smell due to bacteria growth.
What does bad pork taste like?
Spoiled pork may have a sour smell and a slimy texture. The coloring of the pork may be grey or green. If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to discard the pork immediately. Eating bad pork is not safe. Cooking it will not make it safe and will only increase the unpleasant smell and taste.