Why Are Some Food Packages Bloated? The Surprising Difference Between a Normal Bag of Chips and a Potential Food Safety Warning.

package of meat that has unexpectedly ballooned.

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

Packaging situation What it may mean

Puffy potato chip bag Often intentional protective packaging

Vacuum-sealed food pulled tightly around contents Usually intentional

Modified-atmosphere package with some internal space May be normal for that product

Normally flat perishable package that suddenly swells Potential warning sign

Leaking, torn, or damaged package Possible safety concern

Package with unusual odor or visible spoilage Do not eat

The key word is unexpectedly.

If the package looks exactly the way that product normally looks when you buy it, that’s very

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