Jakarta (ANTARA) \u2013 Chicken is a food item found in almost every\nkitchen. It is relatively affordable and can be prepared in a variety of\ndishes, from fried chicken, soup and soto to stir-fries.<\/p>\n
Before buying or preparing it, however, it is important to make sure\nthe chicken is still fresh. Spoiled chicken can affect the taste and\nsmell of a meal and may also increase the risk of health problems.<\/p>\n
There are several simple signs to look for, including the meat\u2019s\ncolour, smell and texture.<\/p>\n
1. Check the colour of the chicken<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the easiest ways to check chicken is to look at its colour.\nFresh raw chicken is generally pink to pale pink.<\/p>\n The colour can vary slightly depending on the cut. For example, areas\ncloser to the bone may look darker. This does not necessarily mean the\nchicken has spoiled.<\/p>\n According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a\nchange in the colour of chicken does not always indicate spoilage.\nHowever, if the colour change is accompanied by an unpleasant smell or a\nsticky, slimy texture, the chicken should not be eaten.<\/p>\n So, do not rely on colour alone. Check the chicken\u2019s overall\ncondition as well.<\/p>\n 2. Smell the chicken<\/strong><\/p>\n Fresh chicken generally has the characteristic smell of raw meat, but\nit should not be overpowering. A sour, rotten or pungent smell, or any\nother abnormal odour, may indicate that the chicken is no longer fit to\nuse.<\/p>\n You can check the smell after taking the chicken out of its\npackaging. Chicken in vacuum-sealed or other closed packaging may\nsometimes have a particular odour when first opened. Give it a little\ntime for the smell to dissipate before assessing it.<\/p>\n If it still smells unpleasant afterwards, it is best not to risk\ncooking it.<\/p>\n 3. Check the texture<\/strong><\/p>\n Texture can also be an important clue. Fresh chicken usually feels\nspringy and fairly firm to the touch.<\/p>\n Raw chicken may feel wet because of its water content or liquid\nreleased during storage. Its surface should not, however, feel\nexcessively slippery, sticky or slimy.<\/p>\n If the chicken feels slimy, especially when this is accompanied by a\nchange in colour and an unpleasant smell, it should be discarded.<\/p>\n Bear in mind that washing chicken cannot make spoiled chicken fresh\nagain. In fact, washing raw chicken under running water can increase the\nrisk of spreading bacteria through splashes onto kitchen surfaces.<\/p>\n 4. Check the date and storage conditions<\/strong><\/p>\n Storage time is important, in addition to the chicken\u2019s physical\ncondition. Raw chicken should be refrigerated soon after purchase.<\/p>\n The USDA recommends storing raw chicken in a refrigerator at 4\u00b0C or\nbelow and using it within one to two days. If it will not be cooked\nwithin that time, it can be frozen to extend its storage life.<\/p>\n Do not leave raw chicken at room temperature for too long. The US\nFood and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that perishable foods,\nincluding meat and poultry, should not be left at room temperature for\nmore than two hours. The limit is one hour when the air temperature is\nabove about 32\u00b0C.<\/p>\n To make sure chicken is still fresh, do not rely on just one sign.\nCheck its colour and smell, assess its texture, and make sure it has\nbeen stored at the right temperature.<\/p>\n If the chicken shows several signs of spoilage, such as a pungent\nsmell, an abnormal change in colour and a slimy surface, it is better\nnot to eat it. When it comes to food, throwing away chicken whose\ncondition is in doubt is safer than risking food poisoning.<\/p>",
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