When it comes to buying meat online, there's never been more quality and variety to choose from.
But there are definitely some serious downsides to buying meat in cyberspace. Well, let's get
to the meat of this important matter right now because, frankly, we've got a few bones to pick.
When you're shopping for chicken, you want to see
pink flesh, not dull grey flesh. When looking at beef, you really want to see
marbling on a rib eye or T-bone, with bright red flesh in between those luscious layers of fat.
But when it comes to online delivery, there's a good chance that what shows up at your door
won't look remotely like the pictures you see online. And rest assured,
things can get very sketchy indeed.
"A door-to-door meat peddling company is getting so much
heat for its sales practices, it may have just given up."
Since you can't personally check out the product before you buy, you'll have to trust someone else
to choose the meat for you. You won't be able to see if there's anything wrong with that meat,
either. And how will you know whether or not your chicken breast has seen better days?
You can't if you're simply clicking "checkout" and crossing your fingers.
When it comes to ensuring freshness, the grocery store is still your best option.
If you're not home for your delivery, your meat will likely be left outside
your home when it should be chillaxing in your refrigerator. Leaving out raw
meat can lead to all sorts of disease-causing bacteria to do their dirty work, particularly
when the temperature is between 40 and 140 degrees, which is known as The Danger Zone.
It's always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to the meat you're about to eat.
"Consumer Reports looked at nearly 500 pounds of ground beef from across
the country and just about all of it was contaminated by bacteria."
According to the USDA, you shouldn't let your meat sit out for longer than two hours. And if
it's above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it shouldn't be left out for more than an hour. Bottom line:
it's just not wise to leave meat sitting on your front porch for a couple of hours.
Who's got time for that kind of sorry scene?
To keep bad bacteria from developing, the fresh or frozen meat you order online should
be delivered in something that keeps it cool. Of course, there needs to be plenty of some
sort of cooling agent to do the job well, and it must be properly packed around the meat. If
you order meat online, make sure you choose a company that packages the meat snuggly in
ice packs, gel packs or dry ice. The less air in the package, the better.
In 2014, findings from a Rutgers [RUHT-gerz] University and Tennessee State University joint
study definitely rang some alarm bells: Out of 684 food items ordered in 169 shipments,
almost half the samples arrived in the danger zone. And worryingly,
there was no way to know how long these food items had been left in the danger zone. Not good.
“Would you say we’re entering into a zone of danger?”
At least when you buy meat at your local store, you know exactly how long it's been out of the
fridge or freezer before you bring it home. Of course, you should still be mindful of that meat!
"Maria is extra careful when she preps chicken,
because she knows that bugs like salmonella can make you sick."
So what happens to your meat if there happens to be a delivery delay? Where exactly will that
meat be stranded while you eagerly, impatiently, worriedly wait for it to arrive on your doorstep?
Rest assured, if that meat spends too much time in, say, an unrefrigerated
warehouse or a post office, it can lead to some rather serious food safety issues.
And you might not even know your meat is unsafe to eat until after you make yourself sick.
According to the USDA, you can refreeze meat if it happens to arrive at your house thawed,
but there might be a loss in the quality. But if the meat thaws at room temperature rather
than safely thawing in the fridge, it might not be okay to refreeze it at all. That's because
dangerous microbes are only deactivated rather than destroyed when you refreeze your meat.
These dastardly microbes can multiply and become foodborne illnesses once your food
is thawed again. As we mentioned before, you always take your chances when you consume meat.
Grab-and-go items are popular because they're so very convenient, and they save people lots
and lots of time. If you're looking for high quality, ethically raised meat, you'll find
quite a selection online…but you'll probably end up spending a lot of time researching that meat.
Of course, when you pop into the grocery store and grab the meat that looks good to you,
it ends up being a huge time-saver… plus, it's convenient and safe!
"This is freezer-ready. Put it in the ice chest, make sure you have plenty of ice,
always remember to drain your water, guys."
Some people hate grocery shopping. Others enjoy it. There's something to be said for
strolling through supermarket aisles like you own the place,
looking for deals, stocking up on supplies… the whole nine yards.
There's also the social factor. Even if you aren't gabbing with shoppers,
at least you're around other humans… and we're social creatures at the end of the day,
aren't we? Shopping online is a far lonelier experience in comparison, is it not?
Check out one of our newest videos right here! Plus, even more Mashed videos with shopping tips
are coming soon. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell so you don't miss a single one.