The Dangers of Eating Ammonia-Scented Shrimp

Shrimp is delicious when fresh, but develops an unpleasant ammonia odor as it starts to spoil You open up a pack of shrimp and get hit with that harsh chemical smell – should you risk eating it or is it time to toss it in the trash?

I’ve found myself pondering that question many times. As a seafood lover, I hate to waste money on discarded shrimp. But I’ve also learned the hard way that consuming spoiled shrimp can induce some miserable consequences.

In this article, we’ll uncover what exactly happens if you eat shrimp with an ammonia scent. You’ll also learn how to prevent shrimp from reaching that inedible state in the first place through proper selection and handling

Why Does Shrimp Ever Smell Like Ammonia?

Shrimp naturally contains proteins and enzymes that break down food for energy. As shrimp ages past its prime, these proteins start decomposing into chemical compounds like ammonia, causing the characteristic bad odor.

The stench is nature’s way of screaming “Don’t eat me!” Since fresh, high-quality shrimp should have a mild, briny smell instead of nose-burning fumes.

Some shrimp may already reek when purchased, while other batches develop the ammonia scent over time in the fridge. Either way, it signals the shrimp is over the hill and fast approaching unsafe eating territory.

Consuming Ammonia-Laden Shrimp Puts You at Risk

The reason rancid shrimp should be avoided is that alongside that gross ammonia odor, the shrimp flesh is likely accumulating harmful bacteria and toxins as well.

Eating spoiled shrimp can introduce health threats like:

• Salmonella, Vibrio, and E. coli – Bacteria that induce food poisoning with vomiting and diarrhea.
• Scombroid poisoning – From histamine-producing bacteria. Causes hives, facial swelling, and heart palpitations.
• Heavy metal contamination – Bacteria convert heavy metals into more absorbable forms. Lead and mercury poisoning pose neurological risks.

Additionally, the ammonia itself can irritate your stomach lining and induce nausea and vomiting if you ingest enough of it.

So while the ammonia smell alone doesn’t necessarily guarantee shrimp is teeming with bacteria, it does mean safety and quality are now questionable. Consuming more than a taste risks severe gastrointestinal illness.

How Can You Tell If Your Shrimp Has Spoiled?

Aside from the obvious ammonia scent, here are some other signs that shrimp has gone bad:

• Slimy texture – Fresh shrimp feel firm. Bad shrimp feel mushy and ooze slime.
• Discoloration – Healthy shrimp are grey/pink. Spoiled shrimp may turn yellow, blue, or green.
• Mold growth – Fuzzy mold on the surface signals decomposition.
• Black spots – Flesh that develops tiny black or white dots is past prime.

When in doubt, remember this golden rule – if it smells funky or looks weird, throw it out!

Rely on all your senses, not just smell, to determine if your shrimp is still safe to eat.

Proper Handling and Storage Are Key to Avoiding Spoilage

To keep shrimp as fresh as the day you bought it, be meticulous about storage temperature and prep. Here are some tips:

• Buy fresh, raw shrimp in sealed packaging without rips. Check the sell-by date.
• Place raw shrimp in a container to prevent contamination of other foods.
• Refrigerate below 40°F, ideally between 35-38°F. Use ice packs in the fridge if needed.
• Freeze for longer storage. Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the refrigerator.
• Cook shrimp within 1-2 days of purchasing for maximum freshness.
• Eat leftover cooked shrimp within 3-4 days and reheat to 165°F before eating.

Follow these guidelines to prevent your shrimp from ever reaching the point of stinking up the house with noxious fumes.

What If I Accidentally Ate Bad Shrimp?

We’ve all been there – you chomp down on some shrimp and instantly regret it as the ammonia flavor hits your tongue. If you make this mistake, here are some smart next steps:

• Spit it out immediately if you can. The less you ingest, the better.
• Drink fluids to dilute any toxins.
• Watch for symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps over the next 24 hours.
• Make note of when you ate the shrimp and where you purchased it.
• Call your doctor if severe symptoms arise or persist more than 48 hours.

Food poisoning is no fun, but staying hydrated and monitoring your symptoms can prevent serious complications. Report the incident to health authorities so contaminated products can be identified.

Can You Salvage Shrimp that Smells Like Ammonia?

What if that pack of shrimp you bought smells nasty – is there any way to make it edible again?

Unfortunately, no. Shrimp that has reached the ammonia odor stage is beyond redemption. The proteins have already broken down, bacteria have multiplied, and hazardous histamine has developed.

No amount of soaking, rinsing, or heavy seasoning will remove the contamination. And cooking cannot kill all the harmful toxins already present.

The cost of discarded shrimp may hurt, but it doesn’t compare to the pain of a salmonella infection or center for disease control-reportable scombroid reaction.

Bottom line – once an ammonia scent appears, kiss that shrimp goodbye and toss it in the trash where it belongs.

Trust Your Nose – If It Smells Like Ammonia, Don’t Eat It!

We’ve all been tempted to eat questionable shrimp and hope for the best. But it’s simply not worth the gamble once that harsh ammonia stench appears.

While not inherently toxic, ammonia’s presence signals shrimp has exceeded its shelf life and may contain dangerous bacteria. Consuming spoiled shrimp can induce severe foodborne illness, and no cooking or preparation methods can redeem it.

Follow basic food safety – select fresh, unspoiled shrimp, store it properly, and discard any batches with an ammonia or rotten odor. It’s better to waste a few dollars of shrimp than gamble with your health.