That Puffed Up Butterball Turkey Package – Should You Be Concerned?

The holidays are here, and for many that means it’s time to pick up a turkey for the big feast. But you get home, pull your fresh or frozen Butterball turkey out of the bag and notice something strange – the packaging is puffed up like a balloon! At first glance it may look concerning, but don’t worry – a puffy turkey package does not necessarily mean the bird has gone bad Here’s what you need to know about puffed up Butterball turkey packaging, what causes it, and whether your turkey is still safe to eat

Why Does Butterball Turkey Packaging Puff Up?

There are a few potential reasons a Butterball turkey’s packaging may become puffed up with air

• Temperature fluctuations – If a frozen turkey is thawed and refrozen, the air inside the bag can expand and cause it to puff up. This is especially likely if the turkey was stored at inconsistent temperatures during transport or storage.

• High-altitude packaging – Butterball turkeys packaged at high elevations and then brought down to lower elevations can puff up due to the reduced air pressure at lower altitudes.

• Trapped air pockets – During the packaging process, air pockets can accidentally get sealed inside, leading to a puffy appearance.

• Modified atmosphere packaging – Butterball may use a technique called modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to alter the gases inside to help preservation. This can sometimes cause slight puffiness.

So in most cases, a puffy Butterball package is nothing to worry about – just trapped gases expanding or techniques used to keep the turkey fresh.

How To Tell If Your Puffed Up Turkey Is Still Good

A puffy package may look odd, but it doesn’t automatically mean the turkey inside has gone bad. Here’s how to tell if your turkey is still fine to eat:

• Check the expiration date – Verify it’s still within the safe consumption window printed on the packaging.

• Inspect the packaging – Look for leaks, holes, or damage. If it’s intact, the puffiness likely just trapped gases.

• Do the smell test – Give the turkey a good sniff when you open it. It should have a mild, meaty smell. Foul odors mean toss it.

• Look for discoloration or slime – The turkey should look normal with no sliminess or mold. Some discoloration is natural but anything exaggerated could be a bad sign.

As long as the turkey passes these checks and was stored properly chilled at 40°F or below, it should be perfectly safe to eat despite puffy packaging. When in doubt, it’s best to play it safe and discard it.

What The Experts Say About Puffy Turkey Packages

To get the official word, I checked in with Butterball’s turkey talk line, the USDA meat and poultry hotline, and food safety experts about puffed up turkey packaging. Here’s what they had to say:

• Butterball’s turkey experts say puffiness can happen due to temperature changes or high altitudes as the bird travels, but it should be safe if kept chilled. They recommend doing a sniff test once opened.

• The USDA meat and poultry hotline told me that puffiness alone does not indicate spoilage. Again, look for off smells or colors. When properly handled, the turkey should be fine.

• Food safety experts I spoke with said puffiness from trapped gases during packaging or transportation is normal and not a safety risk. However, if it seems to be from microbial growth, discard it.

The consensus is that puffiness alone is not a definite sign of spoilage. Use your senses and common sense to determine if your turkey is still fresh.

What to Do if Your Turkey is Puffed Up

Here are your options if you discover your Butterball turkey package is puffed up at home:

• Open it up and inspect it – If it looks and smells fine, it should be safe to cook and eat. Proceed as normal.

• Contact Butterball – You can call Butterball’s turkey helpline at 1-800-BUTTERBALL to discuss your specific case and get their take.

• Return it to the store – If you’re still unsure about it, play it safe and ask for a refund or exchange at the grocery store where you purchased it.

• Cook it right away – If the expiration date is nearing but it seems OK otherwise, cook the turkey immediately rather than waiting longer.

• When in doubt, throw it out – If anything seems off, do not take risks with food safety. Toss it in the trash.

Trust your judgement, and you can enjoy your holiday feast without worrying about puffed up poultry packaging.

Helpful Turkey Safety Tips

To avoid puffiness and other turkey troubles, keep these turkey safety tips in mind:

• Store the turkey chilled at 40°F or below until ready to thaw and cook.

• Avoid temperature fluctuations – don’t let the turkey bounce back and forth between thawed and frozen.

• Thaw frozen turkeys safely in the refrigerator, cold water, or microwave on defrost setting. Don’t thaw on the counter.

• Cook raw turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer to destroy any dangerous bacteria.

• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days. Reheat to 165°F.

• Follow all package instructions carefully and check expiration or freeze by dates.

By properly handling and preparing your turkey, you can feel good about serving it up this holiday season – puffy package or not!