food poisoning?

[Daisy425]

I cooked ground beef for dinner. It said use or freeze by August 1st. I bought it two days ago. I opened the package. All the meat was pretty bright red except for one spot about the size of a quarter on the top. It was a red/purple color. I’m scared I’ll get sick from eating the beef. I looked online and it seems like the beef should be fine? It didn’t smell weird

[hypercat54]

Found this online.

'A red or purple color on beef does not mean it is off. The color change is a result of chemical reactions and does not indicate spoilage or a loss in nutritional value'.

[Daisy425 in reply to hypercat54]

I hope it’s ok

[hypercat54 in reply to Daisy425]

There is no reason why it wouldn't be as long as you followed all the instructions and the use by date is not for 2 days is there?

[Daisy425 in reply to hypercat54]

Yeah two days til the use by just worried bc that color was different in that spot

[Arymretep]

August 1st is still within the date, and if it looked ok and smells ok then it is probably ok as long as you cooked it properly which I’m sure you did, you’ll be fine.

[Daisy425 in reply to Arymretep]

I hope it’s ok. It didn’t smell weird or anything

[b1b1b1]

You will be OK, but you should try to get to the bottom of why you have such a fear of becoming sick to your stomach. It is very unlikely but you worry needlessly. I also have a specific fear. I am older than you are, but I wish I had addressed it when it first started. At that time I was 28, and I could have saved myself a lot of anxiety if I had dealt with it then. xx

[Sunnyday100]

yeah stuff like that has happened to me too. It’s happened so often that I made myself a rule that I only buy the freshest stuff and eat it that day or throw it out. I throw a lot of stuff out, but I never wanna be sick like that again. I’m so sorry that happened to you by the freshest you can and use it that day or freeze it immediately. The quality of food these days even as careful as you are it still happens. Get better soon, my friend.

[ADHDgifts]

For me if there is any doubt, no words from internet friends or others will help. I hate to waste food or money, but not worth it in the end. Just pitch and start again. This way you will have peace of mind -the concern is not going to go away (trust me I know)...use the extra caution and be safe.

[Weatherwoman in reply to ADHDgifts]

I say, "If in doubt, throw it out!" With that being said, I have thrown out A lot of food & I KNOW this is my OCD talking! I have health anxiety & other OCD themes! I feel for you --This fear of being ill either from spoiled food, from germs in public restrooms, from the Covid virus, and other viruses floating around is Horrible & takes away so much from life. We, who have this, do NOT want to be like this. I have worked on these fears for a long time, and have made progress. But, now since my Sig. Other passed away a year & one-half ago, & now I am All Alone, the fears mentioned above have increased as I don't have that special someone who I can "go to," run to, be there for me. I am still working on All these fears in OCD Group which meats once a week, & have an individual therapist who helps, and taking a med. which helps some. Hopefully, we will make more & more progress. Hugs & Prayers

[ADHDgifts in reply to Weatherwoman]

I’m very sorry for your loss and some of the struggles you share. I agree that an anxiety can be real about getting sick, but I stand firm if something feels off it is just far easier to move to another food choice to limit chance of being ill. Food illness is horrible and is one thing I won’t negotiate on. It works well for me and while you don’t want to live your life in fear, none of us know what is going on with the meat so I suggest to error on the side of caution. Just my opinion as I do not enjoy being violently ill.

[Weatherwoman in reply to ADHDgifts]

Completely agree with what you wrote! Yes, error on the side of caution!

[CLB1125]

it’s possible the purplish color came from the stamp they put on beef after they are inspected. It’s food grade and perfectly safe. We raise our own beef and we get some like that back after being processed.