Is your beef safe to eat? The truth behind the rainbow meat
Imagine that you cut into a fresh piece of beef just to find out that the color glitters similar to rainbow.
A strange look, right? Recently, the viral image of such meat raised concerns, and many asked whether it was tainted with harmful chemicals. Some even believe it is a sign of spoiled or dangerous meat. But is there any truth for these concerns, or is it just another case of spreading misinformation online? Let’s reveal the real science behind this unusual phenomenon.
Why does it seem that beef has rainbow colors?
According to the Ministry of Agriculture of the United States (USDA), it is not a shimmering, multicolored appearance of cooked beef caused by contamination or harmful substances. Instead, the result is a slight diffraction, which makes it a completely natural and harmless phenomenon.
Beef is rich in iron and fat. When it is exposed to light, iron and fat on the surface of the meat cause the bright waves to bend and create a rainbow effect. This interference of light waves leads to the appearance of rainbow shades.
In addition, when beef is heated, it can emit a bluish shade due to the presence of other natural pigments.
Dr. Thomas Powel, Executive Director of American Meat Science Association, confirms that this effect is quite normal. In fact, similar colors of pork may also appear. There is no need to worry – this type of meat is still safe to consume.
Conclusion
The appearance of colors similar to the iris to beef may seem unusual, but it is a natural occurrence caused by slight diffraction. The interaction of the light of iron and fat in the meat creates this shimmering effect and it is not a sign of contamination or chemical exposure. Experts, including USDA and Dr. Thomas Powel of the American Meat Science Association, confirms that this phenomenon is harmless and can also occur in other masses such as pork. So if you encounter beef with rainbow gloss, no need for worries – it is still safe to eat.