plain jane Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Dh bought a big pack of pork chops from Costco on Feb. 21. He opened up the pack and cooked up half on Saturday (23) and put the rest back in the fridge (still in the same pack, with a plastic bag around it) thinking he would have time to freeze the rest after our meal. That never happened. So, now I don't know if we can still freeze those pork chops and if they would be safe to eat. Keep in mind I have very young kids and I do worry about food poisoning. I'd say the value of what is left is only about $8.00 so if it's questionable, I'd rather just throw it, but I don't want to waste food either, kwim? What says the Hive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pink&bluemommy Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 What is the date on the package? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I'd freeze them if they were still sealed in a plastic bag, but it would depend on the use-by the date on the package and whether anything looked or smelled off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I would freeze them and mark the package to remind me to cook them as soon as they came out of the freezer or cook them up today and then freeze. Actually I would put them in the crockpot this morning and eat them tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I'd smell it. If it smells ok, I'd throw it in the freezer. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 To the trash they would go! I would rather waste $8 worth of pork chops then have food poisoning (been there done that twice). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnificent_baby Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I agree with previous poster...toss! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 I don't see a use by date. Just that they were packaged on Feb 21. It was not one of the vacuum sealed tubes and it has been open since Saturday. Ick. I think I'm talking myself out of keeping them. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xixstar Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 If they look and smell fine, I would put them in the freezer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almondbutterandjelly Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Haven't they been refrigerated all this time? I maybe wouldn't freeze them (okay I totally would), but I for sure would happily cook them for dinner. It's not like they've been sitting out at room temperature growing bacteria. They've been in the refrigerator, unless I'm misunderstanding. How is that different from sitting in the refrigerated meat section at the store? It's fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 If they look and smell fine, I would put them in the freezer. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I say, that if you have to ask the question, the answer is always toss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 If they smell fine, I would rinse them, throw some marinade on them, and cook them up tonight. If you don't want to cook them this evening, I would still marinate them, and throw them in the freezer. If they've turned grey, I would totally pitch them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I say, that if you have to ask the question, the answer is always toss. Sure, if you don't mind wasting money or basing your decision more on emotions and feelings about what's safe than on facts. ETA: That seems like an overly cautious, illogical "rule" to go by. You can easily look up safe food handling and storage guidelines. Not having all the food safety recommendations for different foods memorized and having a question about a particular item doesn't make that food unsafe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 [quote name=perkybunch' timestamp='1361805257' post='4715265] Haven't they been refrigerated all this time? I maybe wouldn't freeze them (okay I totally would), but I for sure would happily cook them for dinner. It's not like they've been sitting out at room temperature growing bacteria. They've been in the refrigerator, unless I'm misunderstanding. How is that different from sitting in the refrigerated meat section at the store? It's fine. It's a bit different from being in the meat section since it has been 4 days now and the pack had been unsealed/opened (but in a plastic bag) for almost 48 hours. Internet search shows pork is good for 3-5 days in the fridge but dh had opened it. I'm concerned because I have very young children. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenaj Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I wouldn't even hesitate to use them . . . they've been refrigerated the whole time. There were opened four days ago. If the package had been unopened but in the fridge would you still eat it. Opening the package from the store doesn't cause immediate spoilage, does it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 It isn't worth freaking out about. You should throw them out for peace of mind. :grouphug: (We go by a week in the fridge.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialClassical Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 What I do if I'm pretty sure they are okay is cook them up and have the adults eat them. You could marinade them in packs of two and eat them some night when your kids can eat something easy like soup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 They were packaged the 21st? Today's only the 25th. If they were open on a plate for 4 days in the fridge, I might be hesitant. But if they've been refrigerated the entire time, I would freeze them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xixstar Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Internet search shows pork is good for 3-5 days in the fridge but dh had opened it. I'm concerned because I have very young children. :) You're clearly uncomfortable eating it still, so in that case, you might as well throw it out. But honestly, it's fine - coming from someone with very young children as well. But it being fine doesn't really matter if you don't feel comfortable eating it or serving it to your family because in that case, it's best just to toss and be done with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caroljenn Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Better safe than sorry, and I think your gut is telling you not to risk it. I'd toss them- it will actually be less stressful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Sure, if you don't mind wasting money or basing your decision more on emotions and feelings about what's safe than on facts. It's more the fact that if I throw something in the freezer that I'm a trifle worried about I am sure to never eat it. I'll say to myself-Hm, that's the stuff I put in the freezer that I was worried about.Think I'll throw that out. If it's going to end up in the trash sooner or later, I'd just rather do penance for it now instead of then. I just don't like wasting time and money. And freezer space. I've got my bee-hive frames in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 It's more the fact that if I throw something in the freezer that I'm a trifle worried about I am sure to never eat it. I'll say to myself-Hm, that's the stuff I put in the freezer that I was worried about.Think I'll throw that out. If it's going to end up in the trash sooner or later, I'd just rather do penance for it now instead of then. I just don't like wasting time and money. And freezer space. I've got my bee-hive frames in there. Bake them today and then freeze. I am certain they are fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 It's a bit different from being in the meat section since it has been 4 days now and the pack had been unsealed/opened (but in a plastic bag) for almost 48 hours. Internet search shows pork is good for 3-5 days in the fridge but dh had opened it. I'm concerned because I have very young children. :) Your refrigerator is colder than the meat section at the store. He opened them Saturday- Today is only Monday ,so day 3- they've only been open 48 hours or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 When I have a question about feeding little ones something I feel weird about, I either toss it or just feed it to the grown ups. There is nothing worse than watching your little ones be sick and knowing you did it to them. In this case, I would cook them vs. refreezing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoorsy Type Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I might cook them up and use them in gumbo, or something else where it would boill/cook a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trilliums Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I think they'd be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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