Have you ever noticed dark spots on the bacon you buy from the store? If so, you may be wondering what causes these black pigmented areas. The condition is called melanosis uberis and it naturally makes some bacon lovers hesitant to eat bacon exhibiting it.
So what exactly is melanosis uberis? And is bacon still safe to eat if it has this discoloration?
Is Bacon With Melanosis Uberis Safe to Eat?
The short answer is yes. Bacon exhibiting melanosis uberis is 100% safe to eat.
The black spots are simply excess pigment in the pig’s skin – not dirt, mold, or anything harmful. When cooked, the meat quality and flavor are unaffected.
In fact, some bacon aficionados seek out melanosis uberis bacon because the spotted areas tend to be fattier, making the bacon more tender and flavorful when cooked.
So while it may look unsightly raw, bacon with melanosis uberis is perfectly safe to eat and poses zero health risks to humans. You can enjoy it just like regular bacon.
What Does Bacon With Melanosis Uberis Look Like?
When buying pork belly to make bacon at home or when shopping for commercial bacon, you may notice black spots or patches on the raw pork. This is melanosis uberis.
The spots have a characteristic filamentous pattern tracing along the mammary ducts and blood vessels. They are usually concentrated on the belly region near the pig’s mammary glands.
On commercial bacon, the affected areas are often trimmed off. But when curing bacon at home, you may opt to leave the spots on for added fat and flavor.
Just keep in mind that the black pigment is harmless and cooking will render the bacon safe to eat and delicious as always.
Proper Storage and Cooking of Bacon With Melanosis Uberis
To safely enjoy bacon exhibiting melanosis uberis, be sure to:
- Store raw bacon properly: Keep refrigerated below 40°F and use within 7 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- Cook thoroughly: Cook to an internal temp of 145°F to kill bacteria. Melanosis uberis does not affect cooking time.
- Store cooked bacon properly: Refrigerate below 40°F and use within 3-5 days. Freeze leftovers for up to 4 weeks.
- Reheat safely: Reheat frozen bacon to 165°F internal temperature. Check with a food thermometer.
Follow these food safety tips and you can enjoy melanosis uberis bacon without worry!