Stay Safe with Sausage: Tips from Food Inspectors

Are you curious about all the different kinds of sausage out there, like summer sausage, kielbasa, bologna, and bratwurst? There's a whole bunch to choose from!

Today, we're diving into the important stuff – how to store your sausages right and keep them safe to eat, plus a little bit about what those labels on the package mean.

Sausage 101: Types and Tips

Sausages are either ready to chow down as is, or they need to be cooked. They can be made from all sorts of meats like beef, pork, lamb, turkey, or chicken. If your sausages are the kind that need cooking, remember this: sausages with ground beef, pork, lamb, or veal should be cooked to 160 degrees F, while those with ground turkey or chicken need to hit 165 degrees F to make sure they're safe.

Label Learning

When it comes to labels, they're there to give you the lowdown on what you're buying. You'll see the product name, what's in it, who made it, and how much you're getting. There'll be an inspection mark and a number from the USDA, which is the team that checks to make sure your sausages meet the safety standards. The label will also tell you how to handle the sausages. For example, if they need to be kept frozen or in the fridge, and how to cook them safely.

The labels tell you how to store them too. If they're not cooked yet, they'll tell you to keep them refrigerated. And some labels even have dates to help you know when it's best to eat them by.

Fresh Sausage Facts

Fresh sausages have to stay cool in the fridge and be cooked thoroughly before you eat them. There are rules about what can go into them, like limits on fat and which parts of the meat can be used, depending on whether it's pork, beef, or something else.

Cooked and Smoky

Cooked and smoked sausages are just that – they've already been cooked or smoked and are ready to eat. They can have different meats and even meat byproducts in them. You've probably heard of hot dogs, bologna, and liverwurst – these all belong to this group.

Dry and Semi-Dry Delights

Next up, dry and semi-dry sausages. They're super popular and have a tangy taste because of the way they're made. They take a bit longer to make and come out more concentrated, meaning they pack a lot of flavors. Some examples are pepperoni and summer sausage. The cool thing is, some of these don't even need to be in the fridge!

Shelf-Stable Snacks

Yup, some sausages can chill on your shelf and don't need a cold place to stay safe. Just keep in mind that if you have any health conditions or you're a little one, a pregnant lady, or a grandparent, it's better to stick with sausages that are cooked to avoid any food illnesses.

All About Those Dates

Packages of sausages sometimes have dates on them. These aren't required, but they're helpful. A "Sell By" date tells the store when to take it off the shelf. "Best if Used By" is all about when it'll taste the best. And "Use-By" is the recommended last day to eat it for the best quality.

Storing Your Sausages

Most sausages need to be kept in the fridge unless they’re the dry kind. If you've got fresh, uncooked sausages, you should cook or freeze them within a couple of days. Cooked sausages last a little longer in the fridge, and things like hot dogs or lunch meats also have their specific times. If you want to freeze them, they'll be safe for quite a while.

Remember, safe storage means safe eating!