Why can't I keep chicken in the refrigerator for more than 2 days when the supermarkets can
So I have this raw chicken breast that I haven't opened (sealed shut in the original plastic container) in my refrigerator for 5 days now and there is still 2 days until the expiry date printed on the label. Also note that, when I bought it from the supermarket they were keeping it in a normal refrigerator, not a freezer.
So my question is, if we're not supposed to keep chicken in the refrigerator for more than 2 days, how can supermarkets keep it in a refrigerator and sell it until the expiry date?
Best Answer
If your chicken remained below 40F (4.5C), and in its sealed package, the expiry is valid, regardless of whose refrigerator it is in. Any time in the danger zone (between 40 and 140F or 4.5 and 60C) reduces your window, and could reduce it dramatically depending on the temperature and time. If you have 2 days left, and you have kept it refrigerated, I would use it or freeze it.
Pictures about "Why can't I keep chicken in the refrigerator for more than 2 days when the supermarkets can"
Quick Answer about "Why can't I keep chicken in the refrigerator for more than 2 days when the supermarkets can"
The key is packaging gas - the sealed plastic packaging is filled with an inert gas that prevents spoilage. In your home environment, you will usually not be able to mimic that, so you don't get the benefit of an extended time window for food safety.Can you keep uncooked chicken in the fridge for 2 days?
According to the USDA and U.S. Food and Drug Administration, raw chicken (regardless of if it's whole; in pieces such as breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and wings; or ground) should be stored for no longer than one to two days in the refrigerator.Why does chicken not last in the fridge?
According to the USDA, cooked chicken will last three to four days in the refrigerator, and two to three months in the freezer. Eating cooked chicken after this point can result in foodborne illness \u2014 even at refrigerated temperatures, bacteria can still grow.How many days can I keep chicken in the fridge before cooking?
A raw whole chicken will last 1\u20132 days in the fridge. If you plan to cook it later, it's better to leave the raw whole chicken in the freezer where it will stay good for up to one year. Ground Chicken: Unlike other cuts of chicken, cooked ground chicken will last three to four months in the freezer.Liz Phair - Why Can't I? (Official Video)
More answers regarding why can't I keep chicken in the refrigerator for more than 2 days when the supermarkets can
Answer 2
The key is packaging gas - the sealed plastic packaging is filled with an inert gas that prevents spoilage.
In your home environment, you will usually not be able to mimic that, so you don’t get the benefit of an extended time window for food safety.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: junjie xu, Khoa Võ, Erik Mclean, Liam Moore