That Puffy Butterball Turkey Package – Should You Worry?

As Thanksgiving and the holidays approach, many of us head to the grocery store to pick up a turkey for the big feast. But when you get home and pull out your fresh or frozen Butterball turkey, you notice something strange – the packaging is puffed up like a balloon! At first glance, this abnormal packaging may cause concern about the safety of your bird. However, not to worry – a puffy turkey package does not necessarily mean the meat has gone bad.

Here’s what you need to know about puffed up Butterball turkey packaging what causes it and whether your inflated turkey is still safe to eat

Why Does Butterball Turkey Packaging Become Puffed Up?

There are a few potential reasons that a Butterball turkey’s packaging may fill up with air:

• Temperature fluctuations – If a frozen turkey is thawed and refrozen the air inside the bag can expand and cause it to puff up. This is especially likely if the turkey was stored at inconsistent temperatures during transport or storage.

• High-altitude packaging – Butterball turkeys packaged at high elevations and then brought down to lower elevations can puff up due to the reduced air pressure at lower altitudes.

• Trapped air pockets – During the packaging process, air pockets can accidentally become sealed inside, leading to a puffy appearance.

• Modified atmosphere packaging – Butterball may use a technique called modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to alter the gases inside to help preservation. This can sometimes cause slight puffiness.

So in most cases, a puffy Butterball package is nothing to worry about – just trapped gases expanding or techniques used to keep the turkey fresh.

How To Tell If Your Puffed Up Turkey Is Still Good

A puffy package may look odd, but it doesn’t automatically mean the turkey inside has spoiled. Here’s how to tell if your turkey is still fine to eat:

• Check the expiration date – Verify it’s still within the safe consumption window printed on the packaging.

• Inspect the packaging – Look for leaks, holes, or damage. If it’s intact, the puffiness likely just trapped gases.

• Do the smell test – Give the turkey a good sniff when you open it. It should have a mild, meaty smell. Foul odors mean toss it.

• Look for discoloration or slime – The turkey should look normal with no sliminess or mold. Some discoloration is natural but anything exaggerated could be a bad sign.

As long as the turkey passes these checks and was properly refrigerated at 40°F or below, it should be perfectly safe to eat despite puffy packaging. When in doubt, it’s best to play it safe and discard it.

Expert Opinions on Puffy Turkey Packages

To get the official word, I checked in with Butterball’s turkey talk line, the USDA meat and poultry hotline, and food safety experts about puffed up turkey packaging. Here’s what they had to say:

• Butterball’s turkey experts say puffiness can happen due to temperature changes or high altitudes during shipping, but the turkey should be safe if properly refrigerated. They recommend doing a sniff test once opened.

• The USDA meat and poultry hotline told me that puffiness alone does not indicate spoilage. Again, look for off smells or colors. When properly handled, the turkey should be fine.

• Food safety experts I consulted agree puffiness from trapped gases during packaging or transportation is normal and not a safety issue. However, if it seems to be from microbial growth, discard it.

The consensus is that puffiness alone is not a definite sign of spoilage. Use your senses and common sense to determine if your turkey is still fresh.

What to Do if Your Turkey is Puffed Up

If you discover your Butterball turkey package is puffed up once home, here are your options:

• Open it and inspect – If it looks and smells fine, it should be safe to cook and eat. Proceed as normal.

• Contact Butterball – Call Butterball’s turkey helpline at 1-800-BUTTERBALL to discuss your specific case and get their opinion.

• Return it – If still unsure, play it safe and ask for a refund or exchange at the grocery store.

• Cook it immediately – If the expiration date is close but seems OK otherwise, cook the turkey right away rather than waiting.

• When in doubt, throw it out – If anything seems off, do not take risks and discard it.

Use your best judgment, and you can enjoy your holiday meal without worrying about abnormal poultry packaging.

Helpful Turkey Safety Tips

To avoid puffiness and other turkey troubles, keep these tips in mind:

• Refrigerate the turkey at 40°F or below until ready to thaw and cook.

• Avoid letting the turkey fluctuate between frozen and thawed.

• Safely thaw frozen turkeys in the fridge, cold water, or microwave on defrost setting.

• Cook raw turkey to 165°F internal temperature to destroy dangerous bacteria.

• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and consume within 3-4 days. Reheat to 165°F.

• Carefully follow all package instructions and check expiration or freeze by dates.

By properly selecting, handling, and cooking your turkey, you can serve it confidently this holiday season – puffy package or not! Trust your judgment, and let common sense prevail when evaluating your bird. Here’s to a happy and healthy holiday feast.