Lamb in a balloon

[Elf]

Just wondering if this has happened to others. I purchased a boneless lamb leg still sealed in the factory plastic wrapper. The pull date was July 14. It was stored on the bottom shelf in the back of my ice box. I took it out this morning and the plastic bag had fully inflated, you touch it and it felt like a basketball! Needless to say I took it back to Sam's and they gave me my money back.
I know that the cause was some type of spoilage, just it was the 1st time I have come across this. Has anyone else had this happen?

[JohnL]

I've never had that happen Elf, but I'm glad that you took it back. Hopefully others can shed some light on this. I've always felt pretty safe buying vacume packed meat, but this sounds a bit dangerous.

[TheKitchenSink]

Sounds to me like the pull date must have been off. I've seen it happen too, but only with forgotten products that were buried in the freezer months past their expiration

[BH51]

Most meats are displayed refrigerated, and the expiration date often
says "to be consumed or frozen before expiration date"...so IMO, I think
meat should be prepared immediately once it is thawed-out or if
purchased and placed in a refrigerated atmosphere between 35 & 41 d's
farenheit, should be consumed (cooked) & eaten shortly there of before
the expiration date...

By all means, if you do not feel comfortable eating meat that appears
questionable...don't eat it...return it if you feel you purchased bad meat.

I know for fact that some retailers have a cost-saving method of recovering
loses by way of the pet food industry...and/or they will up the price per/lb.
of future sales to recover such loses...you would be amazed the ton's of
meat that reach expiration without being sold...and are pulled from shelves.
Meat retail is something you really have to watch...I personally do not feel
comfortable with retail meat purchases...

Also, I let meat breath during the thawing process...plastic wrap, not good..
I really rely on my snozz' when dealing with meat...And as I reflect, I
suddenly realize how much study and 1st hand knowledge I've gathered on
the subject and probably need to passed it on...Particularly to my youngest
daughter, just starting out on her own...I'm glad you brought this to my
attention, K'Sink..........thanks.................................. ...........................BH51.

[Dixie_Amazon]

I recently had some of the individually packed string cheese way before the expiration date. The manufacturer was great about. They said it was probably due to improper handling, i.e. not kept cold by the shipper, warehouse or store.

[BH51]

Yep, ....Cheese & Milk is subject to gas-up in the bag, also...
Particularly specialty milk, like lactose free and/or organics
that are higher in price and subject to set on the shelf alittle
longer than other milk products...they are the products that
I find that hit the claims dept.'s of the grocer the most as well
as specialty eggs and some pricey cottage cheese's....regular
cheeses (mostly sharp cheddars) are most subject tho they
normally have rather lengthy shelf lives & distant expiration
dates....the concepts used in most retailers display cases are
worth mention here,(to me) if your dealing with display cases
that are open rather than behind glass inclosure, you might
examine dates and gas build-up within their container more
closely...as the cooling properties are based on a smooth
flow of gravity and fan forced cold air...overstocking and/or
improper stocking of products are often culprit...Ya know,
when I 1st eyed the subject: topic lamb in a balloon, I
thought this was some kinda' sausage like deal..Ha......BH51.