Having to return meat


 
Lynn Dollar

Lynn Dollar

TVWBB Emerald Member
For the third time in the last two months, I'm having to return meat because I found the cryovac seal broken.

First time was in Sept at Sams. On the way home I discovered purge leaking from the ribs I purchased.

Two weeks ago, I bought pork butt at US Chef store, got it home and it leaked in fridge.

Thursday I bought two whole chicken from Sams and go to prepare them and find purge in the bottom of the meat drawer. And these hens were individually cryovac'ed inside of another wrap. This really angers me that I have to trip back to Sams.

I don't trust any meats that have the seal broken. And this is actually my third time returning meats to Sams, I had to take ribs back a year ago. It was my second time for US Chef store, last year I got some baby backs home that stunk to high heaven when I cut open the cryovac.

What am I doing wrong ? I look the packages over when I put them in the cart. Or is this something that happens to everybody ?
 
That sucks.

Are you buying/freezing the meat, then thawing for later cooks? Maybe the plastic got brittle when frozen and cracked in your freezer?

I've only returned meat once. I bought a pork butt that the butcher opened from a cryovac package. He wrapped it in butcher paper, taped it shut, and I just through it in the cart to get home. But when I opened it to trim and prep, it just didn't smell right - too sour and off smelling.

Took it back. But that was another out and back drive and time wasted from my day - so I feel that pain!
 
No, this is fresh stuff. If I were going to smoke or cook it immediately, I would just cut the package open and if it passed the smell test, then go with it.

But it might be days before I get to it. or like the pork butt, it was going in the freezer and I'd have no idea what shape it was in when I thawed it out.
 
That’s a pain, having to return anything is less than the joy of getting it in the first place. I would not trust it either!
 
Has happened to me recently. I agree, throw out. I got some sealed beef ribs from costco, smelled bad cause the bag was full of air. Tossed, that was pricey. A frozen solid deep freeze pork shoulder I tossed cause the bag got a tiny hole in it, and sure enough right there was spoilage. Sure it was miniscule and maybe I could have cut the tiny spot away, instead of throwing away an 11 plus pound butt, but I tossed it. I am sure most restaurants would not have noticed it. But I did. We are usually lucky with cryos but I no longer trust the system. My sense of smell is poor now. But if I suspect something, it has to go.
If a package is compromised, it could be serious. Exceptions would be if a fresh piece was just wrapped and you took it home. But something that has been sitting around for any length time....
 
If packaging was intact when you checked out......I'm failing to understand how you think it's the store's fault and you deserve to return it.... I dont buy meet until a day or two before using it, which never poses a problem. if I don't use it I'll freeze it and then there's no problem either. how long are you planning to keep sealed meat around without using it that it is a problem .....weeks?

A lot of meat isn't vacuum sealed......if its red....its ok. It turns brown before starts smelling funny.

Spoilage bacteria also is killed by cooking. Taste may be off.....but it doesnt generally hurt you. It's separate from botulism etc. There's no reason to be overly scared from a small packaging leak, particularly if it occurred in your possession. Lots of meat historically has been aged, ie.....intentionally lightly spoiled,.... to enhance flavors. Rabbit especially.

Ive never returned meat, or any perishable item. I did get a ham once that was a bit "off". My family liked it....I didnt eat it.
 
Last edited:
If something smells “off” I’m not feeding it to my family!
Not finding a puncture in cryo when you are at a place like Sam’s or Costco I can understand completely, finding it when you get home if I’m going to cook it right away, I’ll most likely not worry but, if it’s not on the purchase day or the following days menu, I’d take it back too!
 
Timothy F. Lewis said:
If something smells “off” I’m not feeding it to my family!
Not finding a puncture in cryo when you are at a place like Sam’s or Costco I can understand completely, finding it when you get home if I’m going to cook it right away, I’ll most likely not worry but, if it’s not on the purchase day or the following days menu, I’d take it back too!
Click to expand...

When I bought those yardbird at Sams, there was purge in the bottom of the display case. I knew something was leaking. I picked up 2 or 3 and they were sticky on the outside, I tried to find one that was not leaking. Thought I made a good pick. I thought wrong. Got home washed it off in the sink , saw no leaks, put it in the fridge and a day later found purge in the meat drawer. I also found , that it leaked in the floorboard of the cab of my truck. Yesterday, inside of my truck smelled like something dead. I've cleaned the mat and had to shampoo carpet.

I was back at Sams yesterday exchanging the chicken, and there was still purge in the bottom of the display case. I got lucky and got a sealed package of birds.

When I bought the pork butt at US Chef Store, there was a small " river " of purge on the edge of the shelf (US Chef has a walk in cooler and all the meat is on shelves ) . The butts were wrapped two to a package. I began searching for one that was not leaking. Thought I found it. I thought wrong. I got home, put it on a shelf in the fridge, and a small puddled developed. It was a very small leak, but I planned on freezing those butts.

If the seal is broken, the cryovac should loosen, but that's not always the case. It depends upon how tightly the meat was wrapped.

I've yet to have a merchant question me in any way when I returned meats. They immediately give the exchange or refund, its like they do this a lot.

Local grocer has hand sanitizer and towels in the meat dept , along with plastic bags to put the meat in, because its common for purge to be on the outside of the package.
 
It happened to me once this year with spares from Costco. I did not notice the cryovac seal was compromised. I bought them to use not freeze. I opened up the pack a couple of day before the sell-by date. Oh, the stench! I threw the ribs out and put cryovac bag into a ziploc bag and ran up to Costco. They gave me a refund, I bought a new package and still had ribs that day. Since then I no longer rely on cryovac. I open, smell, and vacuum seal meat before freezing it.
 
I always do my shopping early in the morning. Usually they are stocking the meat cases for the daily run.
Some place the packages in carefully and then some throw them in, so I could see how some packages spring leaks.
Worse thing is grabbing a pack of chicken and getting that slimy feeling.
 
Ive certainly seen them
I've seen a bunch of brisket packaging that was compromised
When it's wrapped on the spot at the store, that doesn't necessarily mean it's no good.
And chances are they're going to re-package it..... And somebody will buy it and wil never know
 
Something smelling "off" only indicates the possible presence of spoilage bacteria. They're pretty harmless. Still, if present in large quantities, cooking might not overcome the inferior odor/taste. Bacteria that cause food borne illness have no odor whatsoever. Also, cryo'd meats can often smell off simply because of the cryo process. Always give them time in the air (completely removing from the packaging) to allow the odor to dissipate. Also, proper cooking to safe internal temps will take care of illness-causing bacteria - no need to toss.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

 

Back
Top