AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Expert: Carol Schlitt Date: 5/11/2008 Subject: Color of raw steaks
Question My husband purchased several ribeye steaks yesterday with an expiration date for today. Once opened the steaks were a little grayish on top but quite gray underneath. We returned them but my husband thought they were probably fine to eat. They did not smell but I didn't want to risk it. Does the coloring make a difference in the safety of the meat? Thank you for your response.
Answer Hi Heather,
Coloring does give an indication of the time the meat has been cut and on display. As you indicated the steaks had a "Use by" date of today which indicates the for maximum quality and safety the steak should be consumed by this date. Some meats have a "Sell by" date and this is a date to help the grocery store maintain quality food rotation. Meat that is close to this date should be used within 1-2 days or frozen for later use.
Red meat tends to change from a bright red color to brown or gray after being exposed to oxygen. This is a natural change in color but does not mean that the product isn't fresh or edible. The product is still safe and wholesome despite this change in color. As long as the meat was sold before the "Sell by" date the meat is considered safe to consume.
Signs of definite spoilage in meat products indicating that they should not be consumed include a strong spoilage odor, a slippery texture or packaging that has begun to bulge. Spoilage organisms may be hiding food borne illness pathogens that do not give off any obvious signs.
So tell your husband he was right...the steaks were safe to consume.
