Should raw turkey have any odor?

Answer 1

While this does not necessarily mean it is spoiled, it could indicate that your turkey lived in bad conditions where it has acidically burned itself from sitting in its own excrement for long periods of time. If this is the case, it is still edible.

You should not trust either color or smell of any meat when deciding whether it is safe. Raw meats can be contaminated with bacterial toxins and not manifest either discoloration or unusual smell. Conversely, meats can be discolored (such as with freezer burn) and not be dangerously contaminated.

Raw poultry can be safely kept frozen for up to 9 months. It can be safely kept in the refrigerator for 1-2 days - maybe a little longer if it's frozen when it goes in the fridge to thaw.

If your meat is older than that, you should discard it.

Whether cooked or raw, potentially hazardous foods should be kept either below 41 degrees or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit as long as possible. They should spend no more than four hours between 41 degrees and 135 degrees - accumulated total including thawing time and serving time.

When food has accumulated four hours in the food danger zone temperature (41-135 degrees), you should discard it. Re-heating or re-freezing will kill or inhibit the growth of dangerous bacteria, but will NOT remove the toxic chemicals those bacteria produce while growing on food in the food danger temperature zone.

Answer 2

A raw turkey may have a slight odor to it and that is normal. However, if it has a very strong and spoiled odor it may not be safe to eat.

Answer 3

Yes. The smell is usually the first sign of spoiled food.