Does organic chicken smell more than regular chicken, but is still safe to eat?

Factual Questions
1

(Don’t need answer fast - the chicken in question is in the freezer.)

I bought some reduced chicken thighs today that are still two days away from their expiration date, but when I brought the package home and opened it, they smelled not bad, but off - not appetizing. I know the rule is, “When in doubt, throw it out,” but I don’t want to throw perfectly good chicken out (or take it back for a refund) when it is still fine to eat. Is organic chicken likely to smell stronger than regular factory-farm chicken?

I also have a better-than-average sniffer - it’s possible that I’m smelling something your average nose wouldn’t pick up. But then again, I bought some organic chicken breasts today, too, and they smell of nothing but the usual chicken smell.

What do all y’all think?

2

I haven’t noticed any significant difference between organic and conventional chicken when sniffing, but I think thighs and drumsticks have a slightly metallic tang. Are they sticky or slimy to the touch? Any off colors?

3

I have to change my story slightly; I took them out and whiffed them again, and I think they are definitely bad. I took them back to the store, and their response at first was ridiculous - “I don’t think we can refund your money for a reduced price purchase - those are “buyer beware.”” I don’t think we’'re supposed to be at risk FOR DYING when we buy reduced price meat, though!

Then she opened the bag, and said, “Yeah, those definitely stink.” Well, that’s what I’m telling you!

Sorry, got a little ranty there. They were sticky to the touch, but I didn’t notice any funky colours.

4

having personally gone through a bout of salmonellosis last month due to some undercooked chicken, I’d say you were probably wise to get rid of it.

5

Speaking as someone who this morning cut moldy parts off several blackberries so he could enjoy the remainder on his cereal…

Trust your nose, toss the chicken. Don’t think twice about it. And while bacterial contamination can certainly occur with organic produce, I haven’t heard of organic chicken being more susceptible than good ol’ chemical chicken.

6

Improper storage at the store (or somewhere along the supply chain) is the more likely culprit. You know, stocker throws a hissy fit and marches off the job, manager doesn’t notice the box sitting out for a little bit … Something like that.

Glad you got your money back. scrolls up to re-read Well, I’m assuming …

7

I did get my money back. I also reported this store to Alberta food safety - I don’t think meat is supposed to be spoiled two days before the expiration date.

8

Where I live, there was recently a news item where certain grocery stores, if meat was nearing the expiry date but still seemed okay, they’d slap a later expiry date on it. Maybe your store was doing the same thing? I don’t know if this was going on in Alberta too.

9

That would explain it. That meat should not have smelled like that two full days before expiration date.