Is it normal for meat to turm black in the refridgerator or freezer?

Question

I bought beef and it turned black two days later so I put it in the freezer. The bag was opened so I thought thats what it was. But I had a unoppened pack of beef and it turned black. Could it be the fridge?

I dont think its the meat. I think its the frigde. I just wanted to know if this has happenned to anybody else. The meat was red when I bought it.

And I dont think its mold. The actual meat color is black...could it be freezer burn?

Answer 1

When beef has been exposed to the air it turns a bright red. It will after a few days become dark. Taking it from the cold meat case and then transporting it home does seem to speed up the darkening process. Also most refrigerators aren't as consistently cold as the supermarket meat case which also may speed up the process. When beef is frozen it also seems to get quite dark. The color of the beef is not necessarily an indication of its freshness, unless it is a florescent green. That's bad. A dark color does not mean it has turned bad. Once the meat begins to cook it will go back to its original unbloomed color.
I was taught a trick, by an old butcher buddy of mine that I worked with, that demonstrates beef's propensity for color change. When the butchers of old had too much hamburger left over and it was turning dark they would pile it into a lugger. Then they would place another lugger on top and then stack about three 80 pound boxes of beef on top. This would force all the air out of the ground meat causing it to go back to its original unbloomed color, after a couple of days, and in the cooler of course. After 2 or 3 days they would then run the old hamburger back through the grinder and it would bloom out to a nice bright red color again and then they would put it back out in the meat case for sale.

There you have it straight from the butcher's mouth :) If you have additional concerns about meat you can always check on www.all-about-meat.com

Answer 2

If the fridge is keeping everything cold than its not the problem. You cant keep beef too long without freezing but two days seems reasonble to still have the meat red. Air getting into meat will speed up the deterioration. Putting old meat in the freezer isnt a good idea especially if it may already have been spoiled. I would suggest that you freeze any meat that you are not eating the day you purchase it.

Answer 3

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the freezer has water hose that goes to the top of the motor to drain the water in the cycle. the hose can get plugged with mold. after melting all the frost the block of ice will look like a ice cube. Mix some bleach with water and run down the hose about one cup full. If the ice looks like frost the defrost cycle did not melt it. that can happen if the defrost timer did not turn on , if it is in defrost the freezer fan will be off. also there is a heater and thermostat in the freezer to hold the temp down to about 60 f , aether one could be open stoping the heat during defrost cycle.

Answer 4

Black Meat

Answer 5

I dont know what is wrong with your meat but dont eat it. clearly your butcher might now be honest with you due to it being bad meat he has sold you. there is a number you call for things like this but they would make a deal about it and investigate the butchers. if you even went to your doctor saying you ate this meat and your sick you could even sue... not saying its all about money but either throw it away see it as you paid for bad meat. report it to the people who deal with food and hygene. or return it to your retailer or butcher request a refund and done if the refuse a refund then make sure you dont give them the meat and say fine i will take this and report it to the food and hygene people bla bla bla..good luck

Answer 6

No...I would return it to the Butcher where you bought it. Plus there is a Current BEEF Recall, you may want to check that out...

Answer 7

when you buy meat, if not eaten in the same day, you should put in the freezer. don't put meat in the frig for days then put in freezer and why would you put black meat in the freezer, was you planning on eating it?

Answer 8

Blackmeat

Answer 9

NO!! DONT EAT IT!!! it could be mold which could cause food poisoning.

Answer 10

if the mold is black, than yes.