Customers often ask questions about ground beef. Many of us have the food safety basics covered when it comes to ground beef, but the message is worth repeating. So, let’s review the basics along with some other facts about the ground beef you buy from ShopRite.

First, you should know that our storemade ground beef is ground fresh every day, throughout the day. When you browse our meat case, you’ll see that every package of store-made ground beef displays the current day’s date as the sellby date. Our one-day code policy means we only sell ground beef on the same day it’s made. And it’s your guarantee that the ground beef you buy from us is the freshest your money can buy.

Sometimes customers think that ground beef that’s bright red on the outside but dark on the inside isn’t fresh. Not true! This color change – known as “bloom” – is normal and occurs when the surface of the meat is exposed to air. The oxygen reacts with a naturally occurring pigment in the meat, which causes the surface to turn red while the inside, which is not exposed to the air, remains a darker purplish color.

So, back to the basics ... Store it in the coldest part of the refrigerator and cook or freeze within 1 or 2 days. For longer freezer storage, wrap in heavy duty plastic wrap, aluminum foil, freezer paper or plastic bags made for freezing and use within four months for best quality. Wash your hands before and after you prepare it and cook it thoroughly to a minimum of 160°F on an instant-read thermometer -- 165° F if it’s mixed with other ingredients to make a meatloaf or meatballs.

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Call us at 1-800-ShopRite
(1-800-746-7748)