How to tell if ground meat has gone bad: important life hacks
![How to tell if ground meat has gone bad](https://i.sspdaily.com/news/2024/4/19/karchiveab72ef78604f19f1de024b88316cb2e7c8ee7f8b.jpg?size=355x198)
Determining the freshness of ground meat is crucial for human health. SSPDaily has prepared three simple ways to check its quality.
Smell test
If the meat has a strong, unpleasant odor, it is most likely spoiled and should be thrown away. Fresh ground meat should have a neutral or slightly sweet smell, so any strong, off-putting odor is a sign that it should no longer be consumed.
Checking the consistency
Fresh ground meat should be moist and slightly sticky to the touch. If it feels slippery or excessively sticky, it's a sign of spoilage, and if the meat has become dry and brittle, it's an indication that it's past its expiration date.
Color
Fresh ground meat should have a bright, pinkish-red color, while gray or brown spots probably indicate that the product is stale. It's important to pay attention to any noticeable discoloration, as this can provide valuable information about the freshness of the ground meat.