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how long is it safe to keep raw chicken?

  • 03-07-2008 11:51am
    #1
    sweetie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,795 ✭✭✭


    Bought some fillets on friday and when I went to use them on monday they smelled off. Is this usual or were they a bit old when I bought them?


Comments

  • #2
    Mr Magnolia
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,435 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    Was there no date on the packet/bag?

    If they smell 'off' I wouldn't chance it.


  • #3
    Faith
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,657 Mod ✭✭✭✭Faith


    Yeah, if they're in the fridge I'd try to use them within 24 hours, or 48 at most. They were probably sitting in the fridge in the supermarket for a day or two also.

    Freeze meat straight away if you don't plan on using it right after you bought it, to be safe.


  • #4
    sweetie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,795 ✭✭✭sweetie


    Mr Magnolia wrote: »
    Was there no date on the packet/bag?

    If they smell 'off' I wouldn't chance it.

    from the butchers so had no date and I put them in the fridge straight away.
    No, I wouldn't risk it but was thinking of saying something to the butcher.


  • #5
    Mr Magnolia
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,435 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    sweetie wrote: »
    from the butchers so had no date and I put them in the fridge straight away.
    No, I wouldn't risk it but was thinking of saying something to the butcher.

    Do. They should be providing a 'use-by'.


  • #6
    thehungrysloth
    Closed Accounts Posts: 38 ✭thehungrysloth


    OP, same thing happened to me about a year ago. Bought Tuesday, straight into fridge, smelled horrendous Friday so I binned them.
    Spoke to the butcher about it afterwards and he said 24 hours ideally, 48 hours max.
    In my case, I'd bought a good few & frozen the balance. He said that if any of the frozen ones smelled off he'd refund me for the lot.

    My mistake so fair's fair I guess.

    HS


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  • #7
    mildews
    Registered Users Posts: 213 ✭✭mildews


    As Mr Magnolia wrote, It should have had a "use by date" on the label. If not your butcher is breaking the law. Here is a link to the food safety authority of Ireland web site with regards to labelling.

    http://www.fsai.ie/publications/guidance_notes/gn17_p44_72.pdf


  • #8
    The Hill Billy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,784 ✭✭✭✭The Hill Billy


    You know that chicken is off when the flesh takes on a distinctly "slimy" feel. The pinkinsh colour will also become more opaque.


  • #9
    sweetie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,795 ✭✭✭sweetie


    Hill Billy wrote: »
    You know that chicken is off when the flesh takes on a distinctly "slimy" feel. The pinkinsh colour will also become more opaque.


    ..or if it smells like fish!


  • #10
    Pigletlover
    Closed Accounts Posts: 968 ✭✭✭Pigletlover


    I'd expect meat to last 3 days, I would think it bad form for a butcher to sell meat that needs to be used within a day, or even two. I hate buying anything that doesn't have a use-by date on it, especially meat because it can be so dangerous to eat meat that has gone off. Sometimes it's hard to judge by smell only, no raw meat smells nice, but if it's gone off you'll know, you won't need to sniff it!


  • #11
    The Hill Billy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,784 ✭✭✭✭The Hill Billy


    sweetie wrote: »
    ..or if it smells like fish!

    Smells like fish, but tastes like chicken?
    That's something else entirely! ;)


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  • #12
    ronbyrne2005
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,494 ✭✭✭ronbyrne2005


    Faith wrote: »
    Yeah, if they're in the fridge I'd try to use them within 24 hours, or 48 at most. They were probably sitting in the fridge in the supermarket for a day or two also.

    Freeze meat straight away if you don't plan on using it right after you bought it, to be safe.

    Or if you buy fresh chicken fillets cook them up and they should last longer in fridge or freezer and can be reheated without losing taste/quality.


  • #13
    rubadub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,382 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    ronbyrne2005 wrote: »
    Or if you buy fresh chicken fillets cook them up and they should last longer in fridge or freezer and can be reheated without losing taste/quality.
    Yep. I would keep mine 3 days max. I go to butchers for deals at the weekend, I might get 10 or 20 fillets, cook a load up for the week and chill immediately and freeze or put in the fridge, and save some fresh ones for the next few days.

    I imagine many butchers will buy in bulk once a week so you could ask when they come in. You might be unlucky and get fobbed off with ones about to go off, I am sure the butcher might have fresher ones, and just like any shop will put old stuff to the front of the pile so it sells first. In which case you could tell them before you are even served "I do not plan on using these until 3 days, will they be OK?" and they will probably pick out the freshest ones.


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