How To Tell If Pork Has Gone Bad?

How to tell if pork has gone bad?

By TheWholePortion

Page last updated: 03/22/2023 | Next review date: 03/22/2025

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In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “How to tell if pork has gone bad” with an in-depth analysis of different ways to spot bad pork. Moreover, we are going to discuss the health implications of eating bad pork and the shelf life of pork.

How to tell if pork has gone bad?

Certain indicators point out bad pork. You should consider the appearance, color, texture, and smell of your pork to reach a final verdict whether or not it has gone bad.

Appearance

If you spot a mold or other organic growth on your pork then it means that your pork has gone bad and the best thing you can do in this scenario is to get rid of it.

It is worth mentioning that you should refrain from smelling pork that has molds on it as molds can produce mycotoxins that if enter your body even via inhalation can disrupt your gut microflora thereby weakening your immune system.

Color

If you notice that the color of the pork has changed from pink to greenish-grey or brown then it is the indication that your pork has gone bad and it is better to discard it.

Texture

If you feel something slimy or gooey while touching the pork then it means that your pork has gone bad and it is better to discard it.

But keep one thing in mind that rinsing the pork won’t help you in this scenario as you won’t be able to get rid of the bacteria. Rather rinsing the bacteria-laden pork will put you at risk of cross-contamination as the bacteria will spread in the utensils and other food items that will come in contact with the water from the pork that has gone bad.

It is worth mentioning that you should wash your hands thoroughly after touching the bacteria-laden pork or else the bacteria will transfer from your hands to any other thing that comes in contact with your hands.

Smell

If you smell something sour or ammonia-like while taking a sniff test of your pork then it means that your pork has gone bad and you should discard them.

If microbes somehow found their way to your pork and have spoiled it then the best thing you should do is to discard it.

The most common case that you can see regarding the consumption of bad pork is the incidence of trichinosis.

Pork can have Trichinella spiralis which can cause trichinosis that is characterized by abdominal cramps, chills, headache, eye swelling, muscle soreness, and fever.

On the other hand, there are great chances of the contraction of Salmonella or Listeria from the undercooked pork. Food poisoning can result in nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and fever.

Diarrhea is an indication of the body that a certain obnoxious agent has entered it. So consumption of bad pork or bacteria-laden pork often causes diarrhea.

Food poisoning after consuming bad pork is characterized by abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is also accompanied by vomiting and nausea in most cases.

If you have consumed pork that has microbial growth in it then you will experience nausea and vomiting which is the natural defense of the body to get rid of the unwanted harmful substance that has entered the body.

Consuming pork that has gone bad will also raise your body temperature and you can experience fever which is the natural defense mechanism of your body and is the indicator that something is off with your body.

In case you have devoured bad pork and are now suffering from vomiting and diarrhea then you should immediately take medical help and try to drink as much water as possible so that while the body is getting rid of the toxins in form of diarrhea and vomiting, the water that you drink will protect your body against dehydration that vomiting can otherwise result in.

Other FAQs about Pork which you may be interested in.

How long does pork belly last in the fridge?

How to cook pork rolls on the stove?

Can you eat pork 2 days after use by date?

The shelf life of pork

Pork lasts for about 3-5 days when stored properly in the fridge in the air-tight container or plastic zipper bag at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

On the other hand, if your pork were stored for more than 2 hours at room temperature (or more than 1 hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit) then it is better to discard it as bacteria grow best at 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and there are chances of your pork to be already bacteria-laden in this case.

Last but not least pork lasts for about 4-12 months when stored properly in the freezer in the plastic freezer bag. Thus, the cold temperature of the freezer halts the bacterial growth on the pork, thereby preserving its quality for a long time.

It is worth mentioning that the figures discussed above are the estimated shelf life of the pork and it is the time during which you can enjoy the best quality of your pork.

You can read about the nutritional facts and the health benefits of pork here.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “How to tell if pork has gone bad” with an in-depth analysis of different ways to spot bad pork. Moreover, we discussed the health implications of eating bad pork and the shelf life of pork.