HELP! minced beef in packet turned brown, DO WE EAT IT?

31 answers /

Last post: 25/04/2022 at 4:46 pm

ANNA H(351)
anna h(351)
18/03/2013 at 8:05 pm
Please help, had a packet of minced beef in fridge, still got 2 days date on it, turned completely brown, have made a cottage pie out of it, but scared now whether to eat it for tea tonite ... would u eat it?? x
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Polly L(45) - 02/08/2022

Hi everyone,

Netmums Moderator here, just popping in to add a link to some official info...

According to safefood: "Fresh minced meat can change colour from a bright red colour to a brown-grey colour during its shelf life. This is a natural process and a brown-grey colour under the surface does not mean that the meat is gone off or unsafe to eat . If the mince is within the ‘use by’ date then it should be ok to eat once cooked thoroughly. ​"

 https://www.safefood.net/food-safety/cooking-with-mince

ANONYMOUS
Anonymous
18/03/2013 at 8:11 pm
did you notice an unpleasant or vinegary smell when you opened the packet or whilst you were cooking it?
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LISA C(1175)
Lisa C(1175)
18/03/2013 at 8:11 pm
Ah, you sound like me! I always worry about that. However, husband says its ok and we've been fine. However, best wait for someone who actually knows what they are talking about to reply.
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ANNA H(351)
anna h(351)
18/03/2013 at 8:17 pm
hi, didnt notice a bad smell, just smelt like normal raw mince ( dont like that smell anyway) i,m sure i heard somebody say once,a long time ago, that the meat has oxidised?????
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ANONYMOUS
Anonymous
18/03/2013 at 8:29 pm
yes, if there was no unpleasant smell and the mince had been stored correctly then I'm sure its fine.
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ANNA H(351)
anna h(351)
18/03/2013 at 8:31 pm
so hungry, mite have to take the chance,lol
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ANONYMOUS
Anonymous
18/03/2013 at 8:32 pm
I've had that happens many times when I have bought mince.  I think all the blood just sinks to the bottom of the packet?

What I tend to do now is that if I'm not going to be using the mince within a day or 2 after I bought it, then I put it into the freezer until the night before I'm going to use it, and defrost it for use that following day.  That way the 'colour' doesn't change.

If the mince smells OK, and it has been kept in the fridge (at the correct temperature) then it should be totally fine to eat.
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ANONYMOUS
Anonymous
18/03/2013 at 8:33 pm
I got some free mince from butchers on sat and mine did the asme today, I have made lasagna and so far so good in our house tonight !!!!!

As long as no smell it is just the air oxidising the meat and should be fine, I googled it before I cooked earlier !!!!
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BERNICE H(14)
Bernice H(14)
18/03/2013 at 8:35 pm


I would not eat this personally.

The brown colour comes from 2 things.. either it has come into contact with oxygen which means it's not fresh.

Or in the case of vacuum packed meat it is because the enzymes are starting to break down... either way, not appetising.

I've had food poisoning twice, once was from meat the other egg... not an experience I would recommend to anyone!

It's up to you, go with your gut. (geddit;))
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ANONYMOUS
Anonymous
18/03/2013 at 8:38 pm
I've had food poisoning from dodgy mince so i wouldn't but thats just me
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ANNA H(351)
anna h(351)
18/03/2013 at 8:39 pm
thanks everyone! to be honest, mite be easier buying quorn mince, but not too sure bout the texture? x
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ANONYMOUS
Anonymous
18/03/2013 at 8:40 pm
As a butcher's granddaughter I would say emphatically, YES. Brown meat is more tender and flavoursome. As long as it didn't smell 'off'  when you cooked it, it'll be fine.

I actually go through the reduced section looking for brown mince...
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ANNA H(351)
anna h(351)
18/03/2013 at 8:48 pm
thanx fran, the only thing is, altho i didnt notice a bad smell, just a normal mincey smell, i didnt physically put packet up to my nose, surely if it were off, i would have smelt it. xx
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ANONYMOUS
Anonymous
18/03/2013 at 8:50 pm
If it was off it would stink to be fair, I'm just really touchy lol. You would be able to smell it while it was cooking if it was off x
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ANONYMOUS
Anonymous
18/03/2013 at 8:50 pm
as long as its doen't smell sour then you should be fine, a daughter of a butcher here and I know some of the meat we ate as kids would never be allowed on the shelves. With Lamb and Beef I tend to not worry I am very strict with chicken and that gets frozen days its bought till night before or morning of day I will use it. (pork is another that you have to watch) but agree with previous poster the older the beef the tenderer it will be
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