How can you tell if poultry has gone bad?

The indicators that poultry has gone bad include a foul odor, a slimy texture, or unusual coloration. Fresh poultry typically has a mild smell, but if it smells off or sour, that is a strong sign of spoilage. A slimy texture indicates bacterial growth, which can occur when the poultry has been stored improperly or for too long. Additionally, unusual coloration—such as a grayish or greenish tint—can suggest that the meat has spoiled. These signs are reliable and are part of food safety practices to prevent illness from consuming spoiled poultry.

While changes in color may indicate spoilage, they are not sufficient on their own, as some color changes can occur even in fresh poultry due to exposure to air. Unusual packaging labels might raise concerns, but they do not directly indicate spoilage. The presence of ice crystals can indicate freezer burn or that the poultry has been thawed and refrozen, but it does not inherently mean that the poultry is bad. Thus, the combination of foul odor, slimy texture, and unusual coloration provides a comprehensive method for assessing the safety of poultry.