Spoilage
Bacterial growth
Improper storage
What to do:
If the color looks dull, patchy, or unnatural, throw it out
Don’t try to “cut around” it
When it comes to spoiled meat, it’s not worth the risk.
7. Mold Growth
Mold can appear as fuzzy spots in colors like:
White
Green
Blue
Black
On some dry-cured whole hams, surface mold can be normal and is sometimes removed before eating.
But for sliced or packaged ham?
That’s a no.
What to do:
Discard immediately
Do not attempt to salvage it
Mold on processed ham is a clear sign it’s no longer safe.
How to Tell If Ham Is Safe Overall
When in doubt, don’t rely on appearance alone. Use a combination of checks:
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