Thanks. The packet wasn't opened - no tears or anything, just the vacuum seal wasn't tight...maybe it got missed in the packaging process. At any rate, I opened it and tried a piece it was fine and so I shredded it and put in the freezer - it will be going on pizza so it will be heated thoroughly at any rate.MissGidget wrote: ↑ To answer your question, yes, if the vacuum seal is broken then the anticipated longevity will likely be affected, but by how much is anyone's guess. Vacuum sealing removes all the air that bacteria needs to thrive and grow, so theoretically, the food will not spoil. Now, if air is reintroduced, then bacteria is able to form and then you'll have problems.
Before deciding on how to proceed, I think it's important to determine when the seal was broken. When you selected the package for purchase in the store, was it well sealed at that time? How about when you put it on the conveyor belt for the cashier to check out? If the package seal was intact at those key points, then you can safely assume that the seal was likely broken en route to your refrigerator and I would personally be a-okay with shredding it and freezing it for later use. Of course, YMMV.
However, if you don't remember whether the package was sealed when you selected it or when you checked out, then (again, personally) I would not be comfortable with using it in any way, shape or form. The package could have been punctured during stocking by staff, or it could have been punctured by a customer - either way, there's likely cross-contaminates present and that's not sanitary, and I would rather return the cheese than risk getting sick because of it. Better safe than sorry, right?
Again, that is what I would do - and just so you know, I've been accused of overthinking this stuff and being overly cautious.
There's probably a pinhole leak somewhere. Otherwise the vacuum would be intact.hierophant wrote: ↑ Thanks. The packet wasn't opened - no tears or anything, just the vacuum seal wasn't tight...maybe it got missed in the packaging process. At any rate, I opened it and tried a piece it was fine and so I shredded it and put in the freezer - it will be going on pizza so it will be heated thoroughly at any rate.
I figured that the cheese I buy from the cheese shop is never vacuumed sealed (just loosely wrapped in thin plastic) so it shouldn't be too much of problem.
Nope. That's why I'm on the internet arguing with strangers. If I had anything better to do I'd probably be doing it.Do you not have anything else to do rather than argue with strangers on the internet
