Expert: Carol Schlitt - 10/3/2009

Question
My husband cooked the spiral ham for 3 hours never noticing the plastic button on the bottom.  The plastic is still intact and round just looks a little melted.  Is it safe to eat the ham?  Why do they even put that plastic piece in there?

Answer
Hi Paula,

According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (part of USDA), if the round plastic bone protector is left on the ham during cooking, the plastic may melt and give off a chemical odor that can permeate the meat around the plastic.  If the ham is cooked in an open pan the meat next to the round plastic protector can be cut off and the ham consumed.  If the ham was cooked in a closed pan, the recommendation is to not consume the ham,

For an article from FSIS that covers this topic, please see:  http://www.fsis.usda.gov/pdf/hock_locks_and_other_accoutrements.pdf

The plastic piece is designed to cover the bone end so it doesn't tear the outer plastic wrap.

Carol