Can an open package of sausage lead to contamination of other foods?

Can an open package of sausage lead to contamination of other foods? - Open grey metal soda can

My roommate has a pack of sausages in the fridge that has been in there for a week.
They opened the package tonight and left it in the fridge opened.
I don't know if I should throw it out or not?

Will it contaminate any of my food?
I had some meat in there that was covered by a plastic lid. Should I throw that away?



Best Answer

While there is some question as to the wisdom of keeping or eating long kept fresh sausage (which has a shelf life of a couple of days in the refrigerator), it cannot magically reach out and contaminate other foods unless it is in contact with the other foods, or dripping onto them.

This is one of the reasons food should be covered in the refrigerator--it minimizes the risk of getting dripped on (the main reasons are to prevent odor transfer and drying out).

You should also ideally have raw meats stored at the bottom of the refrigerator where it is coldest and they would not be able to drip on any other foods even by accident.

Micro-fauna and pathogens are everywhere, in the air, on surfaces, and so forth. The presence of he questionable sausage, even older, doesn't change that fact.

If your other food is properly stored (covered, refrigerated below 40 F / 4 C), its shelf life is not going to change because the sausage is there; it is the refrigeration that protects it, although it will go bad itself in the normal course of events.

Now, as to whether you and your roommate should have a discussion on what you feel is appropriate refrigerator etiquette and usage, that is another question that cannot be answered here.




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How long is an opened package of sausage good for?

Bacon and sausageProductRefrigerator (40 F)Freezer (0 F)Sausage, raw - from pork, beef, turkey1-2 days1-2 monthsSmoked breakfast links, patties7 days1-2 monthsHard sausageOpened: 3 weeks. Unopened: indefinitely1-2 monthsSummer sausage labeled "keep refrigerated"Opened: 3 weeks. Unopened: 3 months1-2 months1 more row

Can you get salmonella from cooked sausage?

Salmonella were detected in 7.5% of frozen and 9.1% of the chilled sausages (8.6% overall) but Campylobacter spp. were not isolated. After cooking, a visual assessment suggested that all of the sausages were thoroughly cooked.

Why should raw meats be stored below vegetables and fruits in the refrigerator?

Raw meats should always be stored at the bottom of your fridge to prevent cross-contamination. Ensure that each item is wrapped or in a sealed container so that it doesn't come into contact with other foods. Fruit, vegetables and salad vegetables that have been washed prior to storage.

Where should raw meat be stored in a refrigerator?

Storing meat It's important to store meat safely to stop bacteria from spreading and to avoid food poisoning. You should: store raw meat and poultry in clean, sealed containers on the bottom shelf of the fridge, so they can't touch or drip onto other food.



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