AIBU to think food packages fill with gas when the food is off?

[Bambooshoots14]

Tesco delivered on Saturday. Pork joint was off when opened a couple of days ago before use by date. Thought it was a one off so threw it away.

Noticed this morning that the sausage packet is blown up full of gas. These are also still before use by date.

I've complained to Tesco who have said sausages are fine to eat and this is just gas in the packet. I said yes but doesn't this happen when the food goes off. He's said no this isn't the case it's just gas.

I've always thought packages expanded as the food deteriorates (like yogurts do). I am usually pretty laid back about best before dates but I've thrown the sausages. AIBU?

[Imnotaslimjim]

As far as I know you're right, the package blowing is caused by gas from the food going bad. Have you opened the sausages? If not do so, the smell will tell you if their off. Then ring them back and tell them.

[LaurieFairyCake]

I thought that too until I had a pack of carrot/parsnip from Ocado still in date by 5 days - they said it was just a gassy veg

[Shinyshoes2]

Yanbu.... It's the bacteria in the food making the package fill with air and 'blow '
Personally I wouldn't eat it and the TESCO employee is talking bollox

[Bambooshoots14]

I did chuck them but they will be on the top of bin so I will open and sniff. Just a bit harder to tell than plain meat

[HermioneJeanGranger]

Do the sniff test - supermarket packaging isn't brilliant.

[chocdonutyy]

A little extra air should be ok but if it's straining at the seams then it's almost certainly off. Never open a cat food pouch that looks like a balloon!

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Do the sniff test. Perishable foods are often packed in an inert gas to help preserve them.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packaging_gas

[Bambooshoots14]

Definitely straining

[gandalf456]

I've since mince packages like this but not sausages. They should take it back if you're not sure, regardless as to what they say. They can always put it back on the shelf if they disagree but the customer is always right.

[BarbaraofSeville]

Supermarkets won't put returned items back on the shelves that have been out of the shop - they don't know how it's been stored or if it has been tampered with.

If in date and smells fine, it should be OK but complain if it smells bad especially if stored properly and in date. Is your fridge OK?

[hejsvejs]

Isn't it filled with nitrogen to keep it fresh?

And produces methane when it's off? (But wouldn't it need air to be able to do that? Been too long since I left school...)

[Junosmum]

Tesco sausages, the butchers choice ones, always have puffed up packaging, whether I get them delivered or buy them in store

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Is your fridge OK?

That's actually a really good point. Get a digital fridge thermometer that records max.and min and see what your fridge is doing.

It may also be worth getting back on to Tesco and getting them to.double check their delivery procedures - eg how long are the crates kept in an ambient rather than refrigerated environment, is the refrigeration in the van working correctly etc.

Two things going off is a bit of a coincidence...

[Bambooshoots14]

Apparently the van is refrigerated as I asked this as delivery was over an hour after slot finished so I assumed had been in the van a while

Fridge is fine. Is quite new and butter is still hard (usually a good indicator)

Did the sniff test, didn't smell like off meat really as so herby but did smell a bit tangy so they are back in the bin

Tesco insist they are right but have refunded anyway

[firesidechat]

Isn't it filled with nitrogen to keep it fresh?&

I thought that lots of meat packing is filled with a gas to help keep it fresh. I certainly wouldn't assume that it was off. I've eaten loads of expanded packages like that and the meat inside seems fine and I've never had food poisoning.

[firesidechat]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modified_atmosphere

[titchy]

What fireside said. Meat cannot break down and produce bacterial gas without oxygen present. Read the label - it should say whether or not the meat is packaged in a protective atmosphere. If it is then the food should be fine for a few days after its sell by in our house