Can you get sick from old beef jerky (Answered)

Old beef jerky can also be said to be spoiled meat, and it’s of no good to the body. So, can you get sick from old beef jerky?

In the course of this project, I will be giving answers on if you can get sick from eating old beef jerky and how it can affect you health-wise. So let me go into the topic in detail.

Can you get sick from old beef jerky?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it largely depends on the person’s individual immune system.

However, there is a general consensus that eating old beef jerky may not be the best idea, as it may contain harmful bacteria that can lead to food poisoning.

Old beef jerky can also be said to be beef that has gone bad and can result in food poisoning because it has too much content of Salmonella, E.coli, etc. which are bacteria that can lead to serious illness.

What causes old beef jerky?

When an animal is killed for the purpose of consumption, the cells in the animal’s body no longer regenerate and the already existing cells before the death of the animal begin to break down which causes the beef to get spoiled.

However, the main reason why beef gets spoiled is the presence of heat which is a catalyst for it.

Organisms that cause old beef jerky

Microorganisms such as molds and bacteria are the main causes of beef spoiling, but this process is not complete without the presence of heat.

The presence of these microorganisms causes the appearance, texture, and smell of the meat to change because it breaks down the fat content in the meat as well as the protein also.

The observation of these physical changes indicates that the beef would not be good for consumption and these can lead to serious health problems.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that about 420,000 people die from eating unsafe/unhealthy food annually and about 600 get sick too. Old beef jerky contributes to these numbers.

Mold

Heat causes moisture, especially when the meat is not properly packaged.

Therefore, when there is too much moisture present in your meat, mold grows freely on the surface of the meat.

Signs of the presence of mold

Heat and moisture are the major signs of the presence of mold in beef.

Mold can easily be detected because of its greenish texture on the surface of the meat.
It can also be indicated by;
1. Change in color
2. Ammonia smell
3. Change in texture
3. Sticky surface

Bacteria

It is possible that when the animal was alive, there might be bacteria living in it, but after being slaughtered and the beef is exposed to heat the bacteria grows like wildfire.

This exposure to heat can also destroy the raw state of the meat and also cause it to become stale.

However, bacteria can also cause old beef jerky from contaminated areas, surfaces, or knives when killing the animal.

Signs to know that your beef has been affected by bacteria

In less than 20 minutes, bacteria can double their number when exposed to heat, these can be easily identified with;

• An awful smell
• Change in color
• Change in texture and composition
  
  Appearance
• The indication of mold and some microorganisms on your beef shows that it is bad, and you should get rid of it, to avoid food poisoning.

Common signs to know that you have food poisoning

Abdominal cramps are one of the signs of food poisoning, it is also accompanied by nausea most times.

Weakness is a sign of food poisoning that takes place when chemical cytokines are released.

Vomiting as a sign can within minutes finish eating spoiled food.

Diarrhea is a common problem, it can be associated with nausea, vomiting, etc.

Diarrhea lasts only for a few days, if it lasts beyond days it can be a result of bad food, possibly bad beef.

Dehydration is a result of a lack of water in the body, so you are advised to drink lots of water, especially when experiencing diarrhea so that the water will help protect you from dehydration which can be a result of vomiting.

Experiencing fever is a natural thing, but it also indicates that something has gone wrong in your body which is also a common sign that you have food poisoning because you will experience high body temperature.

People that shouldn’t eat old beef jerky

1. Pregnant women
2. Children under the age of 5 years and below, because they have weak immune systems.
3. Adults above the age of 65 years.

These groups of people should therefore check their beef very well before consumption since their immune system is assumed to be weak.

Read more: 13 Disadvantages of Eating Meat You Should Know.

How long does it take before a beef gets spoiled?

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) recommends that both raw types of meat and cooked meats should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours.

When the temperature is above 40 degrees, beef is bound to spoil except it is returned to its cooling state.

Note that meat kept overnight at room temperature (more than 2 hours) might not be safe for consumption.

Raw meats should not be kept out of the freezer for more than 2-3 days.

Do not use your mouth to taste if food is still good, instead use a food thermometer for the sake of your health.

Conclusion

Yes, you can get sick from eating old beef jerky because it may contain pathogenic bacteria, which are responsible for food poisoning, and if the old beef jerky is not properly processed too.

Bacteria will not grow in jerky especially if dried properly. Salt or sugar can help you preserve the jerky well.

Read more: How Much Meat Should I Eat Per Week (Answered).