Food Safety Question

LTH,

I purchased two packages of ground beef Friday from Trader Joe's. I planned to vacuum-seal and freeze them, for use in a week or so. When I pulled out the packages both had "grayed" almost completely - losing there reddish hue. The "use or freeze" date listed is February 21st. Are these safe to freeze, thaw, and immediately use in week?

Thanks

Rob C

From the USDA website on Ground Beef

"Why is pre-packaged ground beef red on the outside and sometimes dull, grayish-brown inside?
Oxygen from the air reacts with meat pigments to form a bright red color which is usually seen on the surface of meat purchased in the supermarket. The pigment responsible for the red color in meat is oxymyoglobin, a substance found in all warm-blooded animals. Fresh cut meat is purplish in color. The interior of the meat may be grayish brown due to lack of oxygen; however, if all the meat in the package has turned gray or brown, it may be beginning to spoil. "

HI,

From what you describe, I would inclined to still cook it, but not for a hamburger. I would cook it in a dish that allows the meat to cook thoroughly. If I did freeze it, then I would use it sooner rather than later.

Read through the citation MHay's cited because it has a lot of information.

Regards,