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.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Question Hello. On Sunday my husband got a turkey breast sub from our local grocery store. The sandwich was made fresh while he waited. The sandwich was plain just turkey breast meat and provolone cheese on whole wheat sub roll, no dressing or veggies. I did not even open the sub Sunday because I have been ill and not eating. Monday night I took out 1/2 of the sub and starting eating. About 4 bites in I notice something funny Large Pitch Black Spots all over the turkey breast meat. The entire sandwich was like this. These spots were not the pink pigmentation spots. These were ugly black spots. How worried should I be that I ate some of it? Thank YOu
Answer Hi Tamra,
Wow -- black spots on turkey -- that's not something you see very often.
I assume you had this sandwich refrigerated from Sunday until you ate it on Monday. It sounds like mold but that is very fast for it to grow in refrigerated conditions. While fresh meats usually don't have mold, deli meats and smoked turkey can support the growth.
Now...is it dangerous and can it make you sick? Yes...it is possible but unlikely. Have you had any indications of illness since consuming the 4 bites? If you have not had any symptoms to date you probably will not have any problems.
Do you still have the sandwich? Was it refrigerated the whole time (from purchase to now)? If so...I'd take it back to the grocer and complain.
