Need Help - Forgot Cure Accelerator

[bpschuebel]

I am making snack sticks and forgot the encapsulated citric acid. The meat is already in the smoker, is it going to be good or do I have to toss it?
Thanks!

[lkrfletcher]

I think It will be ok. Just wont have that tangy flavor brought on by ECA.

[bpschuebel]

Thank you, I’ll keep smoking and won’t take them out until internal temp reaches 160 F.

[Jonathon]

bpschuebel You should be okay just dont treat it as smoked product when it comes out. It wont have any extra protection or extended shelf life so treat it as fresh meat.

[bpschuebel]

Jonathon Thanks Jonathon, I did dissolve the cure in water before mixing with the meat and the end product does have nice color to indicate the cure is in it. Does that mean anything or should I assume it is still ineffective?

[Jonathon]

bpschuebel While it being greyish would mean the cure wasn’t effective it being pink doesn’t necessarily mean it is perfectly safe. Color change is one of the properties of the cure, it isn’t the only thing it does. I’d still treat it as a fresh product, it might be fine but I wouldn’t think it would be worth risking it. Freeze whatever you arent going to eat in 3-5 days and vac seal everything else and you’ll be safe.