Coleman Natural Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon is a family favorite. It tastes salty and is crispy and satisfying. The average American eats about 18 pounds of bacon a year, so it’s not surprising that it’s often gone within a day or two of being brought home from the store or delivered to your door.
However, sometimes your bacon might get pushed to the back of the fridge. Or perhaps you find yourself buying a bit more than your family can eat. Before long, you might be wondering whether your bacon has gone bad or is still edible.
No matter how natural the ingredients are that are used to cure and smoke our bacon, it doesn’t stay fresh forever. If you want to know if your bacon is safe to eat, let’s talk about how it was packaged and four signs that it’s time to throw it away. Table of Contents.
Nothing quite beats the sizzling sound of bacon frying in the pan. But the joy can quickly turn to disappointment when you notice your bacon has a slimy, unappetizing texture While sliminess may seem harmless, it’s generally a clear sign your bacon has spoiled and is unsafe to eat
What Causes Slimy Bacon?
Fresh bacon should have a relatively firm yet pliable consistency. Slime indicates uncontrolled bacterial growth breaking down proteins and fats.
Two main culprits cause slime:
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Pseudomonas – A common spoilage bacteria that creates a slippery mucus layer on meat.
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Yeasts/Molds – Yeasts and molds feed on curing agents, generating slime.
These microbes thrive in the low-oxygen environment inside packaging Once exposed to air, slippery slime rapidly develops as a byproduct of their metabolism
While not all microbes pose a hazard, the presence of slime often implies contamination by dangerous bacteria as well like salmonella or E. coli. So slimy bacon is not worth the risk.
Signs of Slimy Bacon Spoilage
Here are the telltale signs that your bacon has become excessively slimy and spoiled:
- Visible glistening, sticky sheen
- Wet or tacky texture
- Difficulty peeling slices apart
- Fingerprints/indentations remain on the surface
- Liquid pools when packaged
- Meat feels mushy, not firm
The slime itself may be colorless, white, yellow, or greenish depending on the type of organisms. But regardless of color, slime signals your bacon is headed downhill fast.
Dangers of Eating Slimy Bacon
Slimy bacon may harbor hazardous bacteria that can cause severe food poisoning if ingested:
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Salmonella – Causes diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and fever.
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Listeria – Triggers nausea, headaches, confusion, and can lead to meningitis, encephalitis, and miscarriage in pregnant women.
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E. coli – Results in painful stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea which can progress to kidney failure.
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Staphylococcus aureus – Leads to violent vomiting and diarrhea within hours of ingestion.
Contaminated slimy bacon can inflict serious, even life-threatening illness, especially for those with compromised immunity like young children, elderly, and pregnant women. It’s simply not worth the risk.
How to Prevent Slimy Bacon
You can help prevent your bacon from becoming unpleasantly slimy and potentially dangerous by:
- Storing unopened bacon in the coldest part of the refrigerator, ideally at or below 40°F.
- Keeping opened packages tightly sealed to limit oxygen exposure.
- Never allowing bacon to sit at room temperature more than 2 hours before cooking or refrigerating.
- Cooking bacon within 5-7 days of opening.
- Freezing extra bacon for longer term storage.
- Checking packaging for punctures or damage prior to buying.
- Avoiding purchasing pre-slimy or leaking packages.
Following safe handling and storage methods gives bacteria less opportunity to multiply, keeping your bacon firm and fresh longer.
What to Do With Slimy Bacon
If you discover your bacon is already covered in shiny slime, you should:
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Throw it out – Don’t take chances with your health. No cooking method can guarantee killing all pathogens.
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Sanitize thoroughly – Discard the packaging and disinfect any surfaces the slimy bacon touched with soap and hot water.
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Notify the seller – Inform the grocery store or vendor where you purchased the bacon so they can check their stock.
While it may seem like a waste, slimy bacon is not salvageable. Don’t risk cross-contaminating your kitchen by trying to cook it. Remember, your health is priceless!
The Bottom Line
Bacon with an abnormal glistening, slippery sheen or mushy texture is a red flag. While slime alone doesn’t always mean disease-causing germs are present, it does indicate spoilage and the potential for pathogenic bacteria.
Rather than gamble with the consequences of foodborne illness, you should play it safe and toss any slimy bacon. Sticking to good storage practices, checking labels, and monitoring appearance will help ensure your bacon stays firm and edible. Trust your senses – slimy bacon sizzles with trouble!
How Long Is Bacon Safe to Eat After Opening?
It’s possible that you want to know how fast bacon goes bad now that you know how to tell.
As soon as you open a package of bacon, it becomes exposed to the air, and thus the bacteria and fungi lurking in the environment. Even if you reseal your bacon after opening, the initial exposure has begun the chemical reactions leading to spoilage. Therefore, you can expect open bacon to last for no longer than a week in the refrigerator, according to AllRecipes.
How to Prevent Bacon From Going Bad
When you bring home bacon, you want to be able to enjoy every last savory bit. To make this happen, be sure you store this meat product properly.
You should always store both cooked and uncooked bacon in the refrigerator or freezer. The low temperatures will slow down the growth of harmful microbes that cause spoilage, increasing bacon’s shelf life. After cooking bacon, let it cool to room temperature before putting it in the fridge or freezer.
Another tip is to make sure your bacon is as airtight as possible. If you’re storing your bacon in a plastic bag, squeeze out excess air before sealing. At the very least, place your bacon in a sealed storage container.
How Do You Know if Your Bacon Is Good? : Nutritious Dishes & Advice
Is slimy Bacon bad?
Yes, slimy bacon is bad. The slimy texture is a clear indication that bacteria has started to colonize the meat, making it unsafe for consumption. While some may believe that the slime is just water leaking out of the bacon, this is not true. The slime is actually caused by certain types of bacteria breaking down the meat.
Can one eat bacon with diverticulosis?
You can eat bacon with diverticulosis, but it is not the most recommended. In a person with diverticulosis, it is recommended to consume foods with soluble fiber such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
Does bacon go bad?
Many bacteria, yeasts, and fungi are invisible to the naked-eyed, but some fungi can form on the surface of bacon. According to the USDA, the spores on mold are completely visible. So if you notice any type of mold or growth on the product, your bacon has definitely gone bad.
Can eating slimy Bacon cause food poisoning?
Eating slimy bacon can be dangerous for several reasons. The sliminess is a clear indication that bacteria has begun to colonize the meat, which can cause food poisoning. Two of the most common bacteria associated with food poisoning are Escherichia coliformi (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus.
Why is my Bacon slimy & sticky?
If you notice that your bacon feels slimy or sticky, it is a clear indication that bacteria has started to colonize the meat. This sliminess occurs when certain types of bacteria begin breaking down the meat. Lastly, pay attention to the smell of your bacon. Fresh bacon will always have its natural meaty smell.
What happens if you eat raw bacon?
The bacteria feed on the sugar present in the meat, producing lactic acid as a by-product. This lactic acid causes the meat to become slimy and sticky to the touch. Additionally, exposing raw bacon to air for prolonged periods of time triggers a chemical reaction that discolors it, turning it from pink to gray.