4 replies to this topic

[Meg9]

Does bloated meat packets automatically mean microbial spoilage? There is formation of ice crystals and some, product is also vacuum sealed. We thawed a few units and product leaks out - sealing issue. What are your thoughts on root casue?

[Prasant Prusty]

@Meg9 my initial thought would be microbial spoilage but I am little surprised that with vacuum packed products. Since you mentioned about ice crystals I assume the product is stored frozen, please correct if I am wrong. I am even more surprised bloating in Frozen products as its hard for the micro to grow at frozen temperature. Can you please add more details about the product processing, storage and handling to understand the issue better.

[kfromNE]

Does bloated meat packets automatically mean microbial spoilage? There is formation of ice crystals and some, product is also vacuum sealed. We thawed a few units and product leaks out - sealing issue. What are your thoughts on root casue?

You basically answered your question for root cause - it's a sealing issue. As for microbial spoilage - not necessarily. If product can leak out, that means air can also get in.

[Scampi]

Freezing vac packs will always result in leakers

as the trace amounts of moisture in the seal freeze, the ice will slice through what is remaining of the seal

 

by bloated, do you mean properly sealed units are bloated?  are you performing leaker checks at time of sealing?

 

Walk me through the whole packaging process 

[AltonBrownFanClub]

Freezing vac packs will always result in leakers

as the trace amounts of moisture in the seal freeze, the ice will slice through what is remaining of the seal

 

by bloated, do you mean properly sealed units are bloated?  are you performing leaker checks at time of sealing?

 

Walk me through the whole packaging process 

 

Not to hijack the post, but I didn't know that about freezing vacuum bags.

We had a big fight over some that bloated up and leaked a few months ago.

I now think our packs were accidentally frozen, compromising the seal, and allowing m/o to grow.

 

My argument for disposal would have been much stronger if I knew this.

 

Thank you as always, Scampi!