Think you found mold on your beef jerky? Not so fast. White spots on beef jerky can be mold, fat, or salt. Proper identification is key. The fat and salt on the outside of beef jerky are safe to eat, but you should throw away any jerky that has mold growing on it.
Beef jerky is a tasty and convenient snack full of protein But when jerky goes moldy, it can pose serious health risks if consumed So what exactly happens if you eat moldy beef jerky? Let’s take a closer look.
Mold Growth on Jerky
Mold spores are present everywhere in the air we breathe. When beef jerky contains excess moisture and exposure to oxygen, it creates the perfect environment for mold to thrive.
Mold grows rapidly on jerky when it is not dried properly during processing. Storage in warm, humid conditions also encourages mold growth. Improper packaging that allows oxygen to penetrate will likewise lead to mold formation.
Health Risks of Eating Moldy Jerky
Consuming moldy beef jerky introduces mold spores and potentially mycotoxins into your digestive system. Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by mold that can cause a variety of health issues.
Even small amounts of mycotoxins can lead to gastrointestinal problems, liver damage, kidney toxicity, cancer and suppressed immune function. Ingesting high levels of mycotoxins can be fatal.
Allergic reactions are another consideration with moldy jerky. Inhaling airborne mold spores can trigger coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Eating moldy jerky may provoke similar allergic symptoms.
Food Poisoning Concerns
Along with mold, spoiled beef jerky may contain dangerous bacteria that can lead to food poisoning. Common culprits include Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes.
Food poisoning symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever and dehydration. Severe cases can result in hospitalization or death if untreated.
Symptoms to Watch For
After eating moldy beef jerky, be alert for these common symptoms:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach pain and diarrhea
- Fever, headache, fatigue
- Respiratory distress like coughing or wheezing
- Rash, itching or redness
- Swelling of the throat and face
Severe symptoms like bloody stools, seizures or paralysis signal a medical emergency. Seek prompt treatment if you experience any concerning symptoms after consuming moldy jerky.
Prevention Tips
Follow these guidelines to prevent mold growth on your beef jerky:
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Use a dehydrator or oven to dry jerky thoroughly. Remove 90% or more of moisture.
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Store in an airtight container like a mason jar or vacuum-sealed pouch.
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Include a desiccant or oxygen absorber in packaging to control moisture and oxygen.
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Refrigerate after opening to limit microbial growth.
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Inspect jerky carefully before eating – discard any moldy pieces.
What to Do if You Eat Moldy Jerky
If you accidentally consume moldy beef jerky:
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Seek medical care if you experience concerning symptoms.
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Drink fluids and eat bland foods to prevent dehydration.
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Monitor your health closely over the next several days.
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Contact your doctor, especially if you have a weakened immune system or mold allergy.
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Consider taking probiotics to support your digestive health.
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Learn from the experience – be vigilant about jerky freshness and proper storage going forward.
Eating moldy beef jerky introduces health risks ranging from digestive upset to severe illnesses. Mycotoxins, allergies and foodborne bacteria contamination are major concerns. Monitor your health closely after consumption and seek prompt medical attention if concerning symptoms develop. Follow food safety guidelines carefully to prevent mold growth when making and storing beef jerky. While an accidental bite of moldy jerky won’t harm most healthy adults, it’s best to play it safe and avoid consumption.
Fat on Beef Jerky
Fat will sometimes appear as white solids on the surface of beef jerky.
Beef jerky is made with lean meat, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely free from fat. Some batches of jerky will have slightly more marbling and fat content. When the jerky is cooking and drying, you can’t see the fat. But when it cools, small fat solids will be left behind.
Think of your favorite meat-based dish—hamburgers, meatloaf, or beef braise. When left to cool in the refrigerator, natural fat solids separate and harden on the surface. The same thing happens to jerky.
The residual fat will sometimes leave a shiny, wet appearance with small spots of white grease. The fat particles will often collect around areas of marbling. The fat content can be accentuated when a package is vacuum sealed. It squeezes out the fat to the surface. You can easily wipe away the fat or rub it into the meat. It’s perfectly safe to eat.
Verdict: Safe to eat.
What to do if you find mold on jerky?
When in doubt, throw it out.
It is normal for some foods such as hard salami or dry-cured country ham to have surface mold. You can easily rub off the mold and consume the meat. Jerky is different.
It might be tempting to cut off the moldy parts of the jerky and keep the mold-free pieces, but you can’t be sure that the mold hasn’t spread below the surface. Mold’s root structure can reach deep into food, especially because jerky is more pliable and porous.
If you find mold on a piece of jerky, you should throw away the whole package, even the pieces that don’t have mold on them.
Can you get sick from eating old beef jerky?
FAQ
Can moldy jerky make you sick?
What happens if you eat bad beef jerky?
What should I do if I accidentally ate mold?
What happens if you eat meat with mold?
Does beef jerky mold?
Beef jerky should be dried to a sufficient level. This will ensure that the jerky is shelf-stable and less likely to mold. If the jerky is completely dried and properly packaged with minimal oxygen exposure, then mold will not grow. Proper packaging is critical to preventing mold. Mold will not grow without oxygen.
What happens if you eat moldy jerky?
But if you ate a lot of moldy jerky, have other health issues, or got unlucky with a particularly toxic species of mold, your symptoms could be severe. Elevated body temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, or severe headache can be signs of a serious reaction to mold ingestion.
How do you know if beef jerky is moldy?
Furry Texture: Another telltale sign of mold is a fuzzy or furry texture. If you see patches of this on your beef jerky, it’s likely that mold has developed. Off Smell: Moldy beef jerky often exudes a musty, sour, or unusual odor that is different from its regular smell. If your beef jerky smells strange, it could be due to mold.
What does mold on jerky mean?
Mold on jerky frequently has a web-like green-grayish appearance. What does the salt surface on jerky mean? Sometimes the white, chalky particle found outside beef jerky is salt, which means it’s okay to eat. Salt is an essential element of beef jerky. It acts as a natural preservative.