I bought some beef mince on Sunday, it is changing colour is it still ok?

Question

It was a bright reddish pink when I bought it, it has been in the fridge since, but has gone a darker colour a sort of light brown.
It is still in its sealed container, and is within its use by date is it still ok or should I throw it away?

Answer 1

As long as it is not grey or smelling funny its okay but I would cook it soon to be on the safe side.

Answer 2

Should be fine, as long as your fridge is actually working properly, it often changed colour as the blood drains from it and pools at the bottom.

The lady who suggested you should check the container to see if it has blown gave good advice - this works well for most container food like yogurt etc.

If the food has a bacterial growth the activity from the bacteria as it "breathes" causes the package to expand... You sometimes even find food in the shops like this, if it's blown, bin it.

Smell is not that great an indication as the blood may smell, but the meat still okay, if you smelled most meat, especially the stuff they pre-pack, you wouldn't eat any of it..unless the smell hits you the second you open the pack, that is off.

Answer 3

Mince always looses its colour after a day but as long as it is within the date and it does not smell bad it will be ok. I am cooking mince today I brought it yesterday and the colour has changed in fridge over night but hey spag bol is on its way later.

Answer 4

If you've got a good immune system, or you fancy beefing up your immune system (no punn intended) then give it a whirl, but cook it ASAP.

If you're not convinced, then don't open it - take your receipt and return it to the shop you bought it from, because it probably cost you a few pounds. But you'll need to do this straight away too so they don't think it's your fault or that you've left it too long. Most supermarkets should be absolutely happy to exchange it for a fresh pink one you can cook soon.

Personally, I'd use it today or take it back. If you're in doubt, then just return it today!

Answer 5

meat naturally loses its colour over time and in your fridge it wont be as chilled as in a supermarket fridge so open check and if it smells ok use it if not bin it but i would suggest if you buy it in future and don't intend to use it within a day or so then freeze it you can still cook it from frozen and it will keep its colour then it could be the seal has blown so check now ok the thing is the supermarket chiller keeps a constant temp at all times and at home you lose temp every time you open the door that probably is why its gone brown so quick but as i said smell first your nose will tell you if its safe metaphorically of course

Answer 6

It's drying out, there's probably a leak in the container, but it's still OK. I suggest you use it soon.

Beef doesn't support most of the bacteria that cause food poisoning. It's still safe to eat even if it's left until it's rotten.

Answer 7

Throw it away - it is going off as soon as it starts to discolour. If you open the pack, you'll also notice that it probably smells quite strong. This can happen sometimes if the supermarket hasn't always stored it at the right temperature before you bought it - throw it out and save yourself a tummy upset :)

Answer 8

Shouldn't really change colour in a couple of days, but it should be ok if you kept it in the fridge.

Answer 9

Mince goes off quick because it's made from the anal passage of the Bull.

Answer 10

It should be OK,mine does that after a day in fridge

Answer 11

Open the packet, if it smells then bin it. The same thing happened to me and although it didn;t smell particularly funky, I binned as a precaution.