Can you eat moldy beef jerky?
Quick Answer
No
Eating moldy beef jerky can lead to food poisoning. Mold indicates that the jerky has been contaminated with bacteria, yeasts, or molds that can cause illness.
What Is It?
Moldy beef jerky refers to beef jerky that has been contaminated with mold, often visible as a fuzzy or slimy coating on the surface of the meat.
How to Tell
- Visible mold growth, often green, white, or black
- A musty or moldy smell
- A slimy or fuzzy texture
Why It Can Be Risky
Eating moldy beef jerky can pose several health risks, including:
- Food poisoning
- Allergic reactions
- Respiratory problems
Safe Method?
The safest method is to discard any beef jerky that shows signs of mold. Do not attempt to remove the mold and eat the remaining jerky.
Safe Alternatives
If you find your beef jerky is moldy, consider alternatives such as fresh beef jerky, or other types of dried meats that have been properly stored and show no signs of mold.
Storage Tips
Store beef jerky in a cool, dry place’, ‘Seal beef jerky in an airtight container or bag’, “Consume beef jerky before the ‘use by’ date”]