URGENT is this chicken off or not?

[camembertandcranberry]

I opened the packaging and a waft of stink bomb like smell came out. A strong waft. Once that had cleared I smelled the chicken again and it seemed fine but am a bit worried.

It's got today's date on the packaging but I figure that you can even then add another day or two (although I'm careful with chicken especially).

Anyone got a view on whether it's likely to be OK? Is that kind of smell normal?

i sometimes get this waft of ewww and then the actual chicken smells fine, i think its the air in there or something

i wouldn't cook it. I think it depends on whether you will taste it if it is off when you have cooked it. (ie. probably wouldn't if chopped and covered in sauce.)

Also, if it is off and makes you ill will that affect tomorrows plans?

LOL jeffa - I don't fancy being ill at all even though nothing special going on tomorrow.

It did smell of nothing after the initial smell so I guess if it were really off it would still smell after.

It won't be in a sauce or anything so yes I think I'd probably taste it if it's really bad...can you tell when you eat it if it's off then??

DH used to work for a big chicken producing company in p-ackiaging and said that provided it smells ok once out the packaging for a while and is in date then it should be ok.

he also said that provided it is thoroughly cooked, then any slight degradation of the meat will not matter.

so just make sure it's very well cooked.

Lacka - great to know...right I shall leave it in the oven a bit longer than I otherwise would!

I'm sure it would taste bad if it was bad as well....DH said look out for an overly fishy taste.

Well it tasted delicious and I haven't keeled over yet! There's time though for that....
Thanks all and especially Lacksa for the info from your DH.