Like all seafood, crab requires attention to detail when distinguishing the good from the bad. It can be scary to shop for this crustacean because you don’t want to waste a lot of money on bad crab, but if you know what to look for, you can avoid buying bad crab. And one of the biggest red flags is a strong, fishy odor.
Any kind of fresh crab, whether it’s snow crab, king crab, or something else, should smell clean and a little sweet. Any sort of fishy or musty smell is a sign that its begun to spoil. This is true for many other kinds of seafood, too — fresh fish shouldnt smell fishy, either. Also, stay away from crab meat that is discolored in any way, especially if it has blue or gray spots on it; this means it wasn’t stored properly. Instead, crab meat should be mostly white, with some red hues.
You should also avoid packages of crab that have ice crystals inside. If the meat has freezer burn, it means it has been thawed and then frozen again, and it may have been in the “danger zone” of temperatures where bacteria can grow. This range is between 40 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, per the USDA. Temperature fluctuations can also affect the meats texture and taste, dramatically decreasing its overall quality. If possible, opt for live crab and choose ones with hard shells and movement in the legs.
Crab meat is one of the most prized seafood delicacies, renowned for its sweet, succulent flavor and delicate texture However, like any perishable food, crab meat doesn’t stay fresh forever Eating spoiled crab can cause serious foodborne illness, so it’s critical to know how to determine if your crab has gone bad.
This article covers everything you need to know about safely handling crab meat, spotting signs of spoilage, and avoiding food poisoning from consuming bad crab.
Food Safety with Crab Meat
To keep crab meat safe to eat, proper storage and handling are key:
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Cook live crab thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145°F. This kills any bacteria present.
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Refrigerate cooked crab meat at 40°F or below. Use within 1-2 days for best quality.
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Freeze crab meat at 0°F if not using right away. Thaw in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
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When reheating crab meat, reheat to 165°F. Do not eat any leftovers that were left out over 2 hours.
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Discard any crab that has an unpleasant odor, unusual coloration, slimy texture, or mold growth. Do not taste questionable crab.
Following basic food safety guidelines strictly prevents crab meat from deteriorating into an unsafe condition.
Dangers of Eating Spoiled Crab
Eating crab meat past its prime carries serious health risks:
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Foodborne Illness – Spoiled crab can harbor dangerous bacteria like Listeria, Vibrio, Salmonella, and E. Coli that cause vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and cramps.
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Shellfish Poisoning – Natural biotoxins in some crabs can cause numbness, paralysis, and respiratory distress. Cooking does not neutralize these toxins once present.
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Allergic Reaction – Histamine development in spoiled crab may trigger rash, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, and other allergy symptoms, even if previously consumed without issue.
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Chemical Contaminants – Environmental pollutants like oil or chemicals may accumulate in crabs over time, causing nausea, neurological issues, organ damage, and cancer with frequent high exposure.
Consuming rancid crab meat poses both immediate acute toxicity and potential long-term health consequences. Only eat crab you are fully confident is fresh and safe.
Recognizing Spoiled Crab Meat
Be on the lookout for these warning signs that crab has gone bad:
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Ammonia-like Smell – Fresh crab has a pleasant, briny aroma. Foul, fishy odors indicate spoilage.
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Slimy Texture – Crab meat should be moist but never slimy or mushy, which signals bacteria growth.
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Discoloration – Whitish, blue, yellow or gray hues signify the crab is not fresh. Good crab meat looks translucent white to pinkish tan.
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Mold Growth – Fuzzy white, green, or black mold is a very clear sign of spoilage.
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Past Expiry Date – Fresh crab meat only stays good for 1-4 days refrigerated or 3-12 months frozen.
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Improper Storage – Crab left too long at room temperature provides optimal conditions for bacteria to multiply.
Rely on multiple senses when inspecting crab for freshness. If in doubt, throw it out.
What Happens If You Eat Bad Crab?
Within hours of eating spoiled crab meat, food poisoning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever can develop. Dehydration is common.
In severe cases, neurological issues, breathing problems, or even fatalities may occur. Those with compromised immune systems are most vulnerable.
Long-term health consequences may result as well if the crab contained heavy metals, chemicals, or carcinogens.
Seek medical treatment immediately if experiencing concerning symptoms after eating questionable crab meat. Be prepared to describe when and what was consumed. Prompt diagnosis and care greatly improves outcomes.
How to Treat Crab Food Poisoning
For mild cases of food poisoning from spoiled crab, try these home remedies to feel better:
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Drink plenty of water and electrolyte drinks like Gatorade to rehydrate.
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Eat bland foods like rice, toast, crackers to calm the stomach.
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Take OTC anti-diarrheal medication containing bismuth subsalicylate like Pepto-Bismol for relief.
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Get ample rest.
However, seek emergency medical care right away if you experience:
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Bloody stools
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Inability to keep liquids down
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High fever
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Signs of dehydration
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Muscle weakness
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Blurred vision
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Difficulty breathing
Rapid treatment is vital when symptoms are severe. In the future, remember to use caution when handling and consuming fresh crab meat to avoid getting sick again.
Crab meat is highly perishable and can cause foodborne illness if consumed past its prime. Look for foul odors, odd textures and colors, mold, or clearly spoiled conditions as warning signs to discard the crab immediately. Promptly refrigerate fresh crab after cooking and do not keep leftovers too long. With proper care in storage, preparation, and watching for spoilage, crab can be enjoyed safely so you can reap its delicious benefits without regret.
Eating bad crab can have serious consequences
Not only does spoiled crab meat smell bad and have a mushy texture, it can also be very bad for your health because it can cause different types of food poisoning. Sometimes, crab can make you sick even if it’s not spoiled because it might be tainted with bacteria from the land. One of the most common threats is poisons, such as the paralytic shellfish toxin, which are usually found in algae that live near crabs. Even though crabs don’t eat the algae directly, their food does, which builds up toxins in the crabs’ digestive tracts.
According to the CDC, symptoms of shellfish poisoning can include numbness, tingling, headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Effects can set in quickly, sometimes in a matter of minutes. As victims may need help breathing, you should seek medical assistance immediately if you begin showing symptoms.
To avoid illness when preparing whole crabs, always remove the crabs viscera and safely dispose of it. The poisons in the crabs’ guts can’t be killed by cooking or freezing them, and infected crabs don’t show any outward signs of being sick. Also, write down where the crab came from and stay away from places that are known to get algae on them. For example, don’t eat crabs caught in your area if there has been an algae bloom (also known as “red tide” or “brown tide”). No matter how tasty the crab, its not worth the potential illness.
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FAQ
How to tell if crab meat is spoiled?
What does rotten crab meat look like?
What is crab poisoning?
Can you eat 2 day old crab?
What happens if you eat bad crab meat?
Several health risks are associated with eating bad crab meat, all of which are caused by bacteria or biotoxins. The most common of these is Staphylococcus, a bacterium that commonly occurs in bad meat or foods. Consuming bad crab meat may cause this bacterium to enter your body. You may notice symptoms such as:
How do you know if crab meat is bad?
Mushy crab meat has become infected with bacteria, and eating it will likely cause shellfish poisoning. Like regular crab meat, the signs of bad imitation crab meat are very similar and easy to spot. If you notice mold or the meat has changed color, it is no longer safe to eat. Bad crab meat will smell fishy or rotten and have a slimy texture.
What happens if you eat bad crab legs?
These crabs take the toxins into their own systems and their meat becomes unsafe to eat. Symptoms of neurotoxic shellfish poisoning appear within three hours after eating bad crab legs. Symptoms include numbness, loss of coordination, upset stomach and tingling in the mouth and limbs.
How do you know if a crab has gone bad?
It’s cooked away when you steam or boil the crabs, but that’s only if they lived long enough to reach the pot. It’s easy for a dead crab to get cooked, which is the most common way to get bad crab meat. Unfortunately, the only way you can really tell a crab went bad is when you open it and look at the meat.