Name: Gayle
Status: Other
Grade: Other
Location: UT
Country: United States
Date: April 2008
Question:
Why does Hamburger turn brown when it's going bad?
Replies:
Hamburger turning brown does not necessarily mean "it's going bad". What is
happening is that the iron in the meat is oxidizing. That may or may not mean
that spoilage is occurring. Obviously, one needs to use good judgment regarding
its "freshness" vs. "spoilage".
Vince Calder
You might notice that hamburger turns brown when you cook it. Obviously,
that does not mean it is going bad. Meat will turn brown before
it is actaully "bad from bacterial action". Smelling the meat is a good way of
determining freshness.
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