What is Rainbow Sheen Hamil?
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Whether your ham is eating safely?
If you’re just learning how to tell when certain foods are spoiled, it’s not always easy. Sometimes it’s easy to see rot, but other times not so much. In the case of meat, it can sometimes be hard to tell if it’s bad or not, and ham is a prime example. Most people assume that any type of discolouration is a bad sign, but this is not always the case. Read on to find out what it means when your ham takes on a new colour and if it’s safe to eat.
What is Rainbow Sheen Ham?
You may have noticed that the cut ham has a shiny, sometimes greenish, rainbow-cut effect. This does not necessarily indicate spoilage. Chemicals that use nitrates and/or nitrite as drying agents will undergo pigment changes due to chemical reactions with light and air. These same nitrates will cause the meat to turn pinkish brown again, even when fully cooked.
Are nitrates healthy or harmful?
There is a big debate about the safety of nitrates in food. While most scientists consider that unless you have a specific allergy to nitrates, they are a safe food additive. Some nutritionists believe that nitrates, especially in high amounts, can cause digestive upset in cancer-related medical issues. Of course, there are no real studies to support this hypothesis.
How do you know if a ham has gone bad?
Signs that your ham has turned are similar to many other signs of muscle deterioration.
A bad smell is a big indicator that you don’t want to eat that meat. We’ve already covered what’s indicated by rainbow sheen, but what about other colors? If your meat turns an unhealthy green, grey or black, it’s a sure sign that it’s bad. While it’s common to cure ham in a way that makes the form more likely, if your meat is starting to grow, it’s time to get rid of this science project.
You also never want to chew on a molded bit of meat, those spores can get into your respiratory system and make you sick. When you discover mold, you want to get rid of it. It’s a good idea to stick the meat in a plastic bag before you pound it to avoid getting mold spores and making people sick. If your ham or other meat has a spotty, rancid feeling or a filmy coating, that’s another bad sign. While in many cases it can spoil your meat, it’s a good thing if it’s usually fairly easy. While some foods such as cheese can be saved if parts start to rot, ham and meat products generally can’t.
