Grassfed Beef Liver---how should it smell???

Hannah · **Joined:** Fri Aug 17, 2012 6:48 pm **Posts:** 204

I just purchased some grassfed ground beef and grassfed beef liver from a local farmer. Both were products where in vacuum sealed pouches.

No problems with the ground beef---cooked some up and was delicious.

The coloration of the liver is normal, however when we lifted the packages out of the box there was a fishy & old mildewy smell . Is this normal for liver?

Thank you,
Celeste

Martha R. · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 8:45 am **Posts:** 2924

LOL, I can't stand liver. Blah. So, I cant' speak to that. If the liver smells like that it is probably spoiled. Did you mean the box smells that way or the meat inside the package? They could have just reused a box.

Hannah · **Joined:** Fri Aug 17, 2012 6:48 pm **Posts:** 204

We smelled it when we lifted the pouches out of the box and sniffed at the pouches--fishy. Then we smelled the liver itself and it smelled fishy too.

Briva · **Posted:** Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:40 pm

I used to eat it, it should smell like a fresh piece of steak. We always found it frozen. Havent eaten any since the late 80's. I'd take it back. Might be old stock, does it have an expiration date?

Hannah · **Joined:** Fri Aug 17, 2012 6:48 pm **Posts:** 204

Purchased it directly from a farmer. He lives about 40 minutes from me (without traffic) so he met my son in town (because he has other customers here). The box had some ice in it, but not a whole lot. We threw the packaging out (I had rewrapped it into serving sizes in freezer wrap); I never even thought to look for a date because he said the cow had been slaughtered the day before, which come to think of it he said that about it last week. So either he had it processed last week and it sat in a refrigerator for a whole week [it wasn't frozen when I got it and fresh liver can only be left refrigeratored 2-3 days at most] or it really was killed the day before I got it and it possibly was contaminated at the processing plant.

I contacted the farmer and he said he would reimburse my money or offer other product in its place. He said the liver had been properly refrigerated while in his possession.

My Mom made liver every 2 weeks when I was growing up and I never remember there being this kind of a smell to it in its raw state.

I tried googling about, but no definite description on the smell. Only one person said, 'like blood, metallically'.

I appreciate your help; I think you're right, I need to get my money back.

Pam in Colorado · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 2:58 pm **Posts:** 1095

Disgusting!!!! I have been told that I should eat some, but really, the thought just grosses me out! Fishy liver would be even worse, if that is possible.

Hannah · **Joined:** Fri Aug 17, 2012 6:48 pm **Posts:** 204

It is nutrient dense and has what the doctor ordered: High in B-Complex and iron. I'm so disappointed!

Tory · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 6:58 pm **Posts:** 5828

If "anything" smells funny I err on the side of caution and not eat it.
Better to get your money back or trade him for more liver. Have HIM smell it.

Pam in Colorado · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 2:58 pm **Posts:** 1095

I've seriously considered eating some in the past few months as I am trying hard to get my iron up. Just can't do it yet.

Martha R. · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 8:45 am **Posts:** 2924

Go for some fresh, organic spinach. It's really high in iron, too. :0) Or just eat more of the beef.

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Grassfed Beef Liver---how should it smell???

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