How Long Does Bologna Last in the Fridge? Are you thinking about putting your bologna in the fridge for a few days but aren’t sure how long it will stay before going bad? A few people have argued throughout the years over how long bologna can last before becoming bad. What is the best way to keep bologna?
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How long does bologna keep in the refrigerator? According to USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service research on luncheon meats such as bologna, unopened bologna can stay fresh in the fridge for about two weeks. Furthermore, opened bologna can be kept for 3 to 5 days without going bad.
However, the storage temperature is important, as an unfavorable temperature would have a significant impact on bologna storage.
How Long Will Bologna Keep at Room Temperature?
Although unopened bologna can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, it cannot be kept at room temperature for more than 2 hours and should be thrown if left at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Bologna has a low tolerance for temperature changes. Since a result, it is strongly advised that you store your bologna in the refrigerator immediately after purchasing it from the store, as ambient temperature might promote the rapid growth of bacteria.
How to Tell If Your Bologna Is Bad
When you observe slimy or sticky surfaces, a foul smell, discoloration, and/or mold, it’s time to throw of the bologna.
When bologna develops a slimy or sticky surface, it is quite likely that it has gone bad. Although the slimy and sticky surface does not necessarily indicate that the bologna is no longer edible, it is possible that the stickiness is produced by other items stored in the fridge.
- Occasionally, properly washing the bologna will remove the sticky surface, and the meat will be safe to eat.
- When bologna begins to smell sour, it signals that the bologna has gone bad. When kept in the fridge, bologna usually takes a while to smell. However, if the fridge is not set at a suitable temperature, the bologna quickly spoils and emits a rotten or stale meat odor.
- Bologna discolouration is a visible indication that the bologna has gone rotten. The natural color of the bologna will fade and turn dark. However, a small discoloration should not cause concern because discoloration can develop if the bologna is stored in the fridge for an extended period of time.
- It is vital to note that if the discoloration is significantly different from the original color of the bologna, it is no longer edible and should be discarded.
- Mold is an extreme trait of poor bologna. When bologna, like any other lunch meat, becomes unfit for ingestion, mold begins to grow on the meat. Spotting mold, especially when stored in the fridge, should be cause for concern and a reason to avoid such bologna.
Mold prefers to grow in warm conditions, although it may also thrive in freezing temperatures.
How Can You Keep Bologna in the Fridge for a Longer Period of Time?
It has previously been proven that storing bologna at room temperature is not the greatest option. When the meat is left out of the fridge for more than 2 hours, it suffers severely; so, the fridge is a reliable option for bologna storage.
How Long Does Bologna Last in the Fridge
However, there are other methods for successfully storing bologna in the refrigerator, including:
Storing Bologna in the Fridge:
The cooler the temperature, the better for storing bologna. According to experts, frozen bologna can last up to a month.
Although freezing bologna will help freeze and preserve the meat for a longer amount of time, the bologna may discolor slightly.
Covering Bologna Adequately:
To avoid air-bacteria reactions that could jeopardize the edibility of the bologna, it is strongly advised that you cover the bologna in a container or airtight bag. Nonetheless, some say that covering bologna to prevent air ingress is not a foolproof preservation method.
However, if properly wrapped and stored in the refrigerator, bologna will keep for several days, if not a week.
Examining the Package Specifics:
To clear up any ambiguities, read the bologna package. By doing so, you will avoid all of the shortcuts and complications associated with preserving your bologna.
Knowing the expiration date on the packaging is essential for preserving bologna properly. As a result, you should check the packaging date to see if the bologna is still safe to eat.
What Can You Expect After Consuming Bad Bologna?
Naturally, if you consume contaminated or expired food, you may experience medical complications and problems related to food poisoning. Lunch meats, such as bologna, can rot even if stored at the proper temperature for more than 5 days.
It is possible to become ill if you consume tainted bologna. You may experience symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, nausea, and so on. It is very essential that you consult your doctor right away for a professional assessment and treatment.
Conclusion
Bologna, like most meat, has a low tolerance for heat. As a result, if it is not promptly stored in the fridge or freezer, it will spoil within hours. When stored in the fridge, unopened bologna will keep for about two weeks.
Furthermore, even if the food is edible, it may lose its flavor after a few days.
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