Do you have any doubts about the safety of the raw chicken in your refrigerator? Here are some storage hints that will help you know how long can raw chicken stay in the fridge.
Even in the refrigerator, raw chicken is extremely perishable. According to FoodSafety.gov, you should only store raw chicken for one to two days in the refrigerator.
Even though the listed expiration date hasn’t yet gone, you should only consume raw chicken within a day or two because the “best, if used by” date placed on the package, is there for quality assurance purposes.
If you purchase raw chicken at the grocery store, make plans to prepare it that evening or the following day. This is true whether the chicken is whole or is chopped into different parts like the breast, thighs, and drumsticks. It holds true for raw turkey as well.
How to Tell if Chicken Has Gone Bad
There is a probability that the chicken has gone bad if it has been stored in the refrigerator for longer than a few days. Here are a few indicators that the chicken in your refrigerator has perished.
1. The “best by” date has passed. It’s more likely that chicken, both raw and cooked, that has passed its “best if used by/before” date has deteriorated.
2. Chicken that is both raw and cooked and has begun to turn a grayish-green tint has gone bad. Bacterial development is indicated by gray-to-green mold growth spots.
3. As chicken goes bad, it releases an acidic stench that is similar to ammonia, whether it is raw or cooked. If the chicken has been marinated in sauces, herbs, or spices, it could be difficult to detect this fragrance.
4. Sluggish-feeling chicken indicates bad chicken. The chicken cannot be rinsed to remove bacteria. Instead, doing so could result in cross-contamination and transfer of the bacteria from poultry to other foods, utensils, and surfaces.
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What are the Risks of Eating Spoiled Chicken?
Food poisoning, or a foodborne sickness, can be contracted by eating rotten chicken. Chicken may be infected with bacteria, including Campylobacter, Salmonella, and others, increasing the risk of food poisoning.
These bacteria are typically destroyed when fresh chicken is completely cooked. Cooking and eating rotten chicken must still be avoided.
Despite the fact that reheating or cooking can eradicate surface germs, it won’t get rid of some toxins that bacteria create, which can cause food poisoning if consumed.
High fevers (over 101.5°F or 38.6°C), chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, and dehydration are among the painful and occasionally hazardous symptoms of food poisoning.
Severe food poisoning occasionally necessitates hospitalization and even results in death. Don’t consume your chicken if you think it might be ruined. It’s advisable to always throw away chicken you think has gone rotten.
What Do the Dates on the Packaging Mean?
It is natural to be confused by the dates mentioned on the packaging because raw chicken only kept for one to two days in the refrigerator.
The “pack date” and “best if used by date” must be clearly visible on the packaging of all raw poultry sold in the United States, according to the Food and Safety Inspection Service of the USDA.
In the event of a foodborne illness epidemic, chicken is identified and tracked using the “pack date”. For quality control purposes, the “best if used by date” is indicated. In other words, once raw chicken has gone beyond its “best if used by” date, its quality may have decreased.
Regardless of the “best if used by” date, raw chicken should be consumed within one to two days of purchase from the standpoint of food safety.
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How Do You Choose and Store Chicken So it Stays Fresh?
Your trip to the grocery store should be the first step in selecting the freshest chicken. Look for raw chicken with flesh that has a pale pink tint.
The liquids from the raw chicken package can be prevented from contaminating your other groceries by placing them in a disposable bag.
When using raw chicken at home, only remove it from its original container. In addition, remember that fresh chicken meat has no odor when you do open it. Additionally, the flesh ought to be smooth, moist, and firm with a little give to the touch.
Bottom Line
In the refrigerator, raw chicken is kept for 1-2 days, whereas cooked chicken keeps for 3–4 days. Check the “best if used by” date and keep an eye out for spoiled food indicators, including changes in color, texture, and smell.
Even if you thoroughly cook the chicken, you should avoid eating ruined chicken because it can make you sick.
