It’s been seven days since that raw chicken was placed in your fridge. By now, it’s probably starting to smell a bit…off. But is it still safe to eat?
Well, if you’ve ever found yourself in this predicament, you’re not alone. In fact, a new study has found that one in four Americans have eaten food that they probably shouldn’t have.
The study, which was conducted by the Food and Drug Administration, found that 25 percent of Americans have eaten food that was past its expiration date.
And, of those who admitted to eating expired food, 40 percent said that they had done so because they “weren’t sure if it was still safe to eat.”
Let detail!
Can We Store Raw Chicken in Fridge For 7 Days?
According to the USDA, raw chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to two days. However, if you’re planning to keep your chicken for longer than that, you’ll need to freeze it.
So, if you’re wondering whether you can store raw chicken in the fridge for seven days, the answer is a technical yes. However, we wouldn’t recommend it.
The reason is that chicken is a highly perishable food, and even when stored properly, it can start to develop bacteria after two days. After seven days, the risk of food poisoning is too high.
So, if you want to keep your chicken for more than two days, your best bet is to freeze it. The frozen chicken will stay fresh for up to six months, so you can thaw it and cook it whenever you’re ready.
How long does raw chicken last in the fridge?
How long does raw chicken last in the fridge? We all know the answer to that, don’t we? Two days.
But what if I told you there’s a way to make your chicken last even longer?
That’s right, folks. I’m talking about the ever-popular McDonald’s chicken nuggets.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “There’s no way those things will last more than a day or two in my fridge.” But trust me, they will.
I’ve had chicken nuggets last up to a week in my fridge. And I’m not even exaggerating.
So, how do you do it? It’s quite simple.
First, you must ensure you get the nuggets from McDonald’s. You can’t just get any old nuggets, they have to be from McDonald’s.
Second, you must get them home and into the fridge as quickly as possible. The longer they sit out, the shorter their lifespan will be.
Third, when you’re ready to eat them, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds and enjoy.
The Benefits of Storing Raw Chicken in the Fridge?
Here are some of the benefits of storing raw chicken in the fridge:
It can help to keep the chicken moist.
When storing it in the fridge, can help to keep the chicken moist because the moisture in the chicken will evaporate less when it is stored in the fridge.
It can help to keep the chicken from drying out.
It can help to keep the chicken from drying out. This is because the moisture in the chicken will evaporate less when it is stored in the fridge.
It can help to keep the chicken from getting overcooked.
It can help to keep the chicken from getting overcooked because the moisture in the chicken will evaporate less when it is stored in the fridge.
It can help to keep the chicken from becoming tough.
If you store raw chicken in the fridge, it can help to keep the chicken from becoming tough because the moisture in the chicken will evaporate less when it is stored in the fridge.
It can help to keep the chicken from losing its flavor.
It can help keep the chicken from losing its flavor because the moisture will evaporate less when it is stored in the fridge.
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What are the food safety risks of storing raw chicken in the fridge for a week?
Here are some of the risks associated with storing raw chicken in the fridge:
- Cross-contamination. There is a risk of cross-contamination. This can occur if the chicken comes into contact with other food items in the fridge or drips onto other food items.
- Food poisoning. It can contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning. If you eat contaminated chicken, you could experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
- Spoiled chicken. If you store raw chicken in the fridge for too long, it can spoil. The spoiled chicken will have a bad odor and will appear discolored. If you eat spoiled chicken, you could experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
How to Store Raw Chicken in the Fridge?
First of all, you need to make sure that your raw chicken is properly sealed. If it is not properly sealed, then your chicken will start to smell bad and it will attract bacteria. You can either use a food storage bag or wrap the chicken in plastic wrap.
Once your chicken is properly sealed, you need to find a place to store it in the fridge. The best place to store raw chicken is on the bottom shelf. This is because the bottom shelf is the coldest part of the fridge.
You also need to make sure that you do not store raw chicken next to any other food. This is because the chicken could contaminate other food and make you sick.
How to Tell if Raw Chicken Is Spoiled
1. The Color
One of the easiest ways to tell if the chicken is spoiled is to simply take a look at it. Fresh chicken should have a pinkish-white color to it. If the chicken is starting to turn a greenish-gray color, then it’s probably time to throw it out.
2. The Smell
This one is a bit tricky because chicken doesn’t necessarily have a “bad” smell to it when it’s starting to go bad. However, if the chicken smells sour or ammonia-like, it’s definitely time to get rid of it.
3. The Texture
Another way to tell if a chicken is spoiled is to touch it and see how it feels. If the chicken is slimy or sticky to the touch, it’s a sure sign that it’s gone bad.
4. The Taste
If you’re still not sure whether or not the chicken is good, then the best way to find out is to simply give it a taste. We don’t recommend cooking and eating the chicken if it’s spoiled, but a small taste shouldn’t hurt you. If the chicken tastes sour or off, it’s time to toss it.
FAQs
Can chicken store in the fridge for 5 days still be cooked?
The USDA advises that cooked chicken should be eaten within 3 to 4 days. If it has been longer than that, it is up to you to decide whether or not to eat it.
How long does thawed chicken last in the fridge?
You can keep the chicken in the refrigerator for one to two days after it has been thawed.
Does Cooking Bad Chicken Kill Bacteria?
Cooking chicken to the correct temperature kills bacteria. Raw chicken may contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter. These bacteria can cause food poisoning.
Can salmonella be killed by cooking?
The bacteria that cause salmonella poisoning are killed when food is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Any food cooked to this temperature will be free of bacteria and safe to eat.
However, it is important to note that some foods, such as chicken nuggets, are often served undercooked. This means they may not have reached the necessary internal temperature to kill the bacteria. For this reason, it is important to be careful when eating chicken nuggets and other undercooked foods.
P/s: Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. If you have been affected by salmonella poisoning, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Salmonella can be a serious bacteria and can cause death in severe cases.
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