How can you tell if cooked meatloaf is spoiled?

Visual and Smell:

* Color: Look for any discoloration, especially greenish or grayish hues. Fresh meatloaf should have a consistent, even brown color.

* Slime: Check for any slimy residue on the surface.

* Mold: Mold can appear as fuzzy patches, usually green or black.

* Smell: A spoiled meatloaf will have a sour, rancid, or putrid odor.

Texture:

* Sticky: A sticky texture is a sign of spoilage.

* Soft and mushy: Spoiled meatloaf can lose its firm texture and become mushy.

Taste:

* Sour or off-flavor: If you taste anything besides the normal flavor of your meatloaf, it's likely spoiled.

Important Notes:

* Refrigerate promptly: Cooked meatloaf should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking, ideally within one hour if the temperature is above 90°F.

* Storage duration: Refrigerated meatloaf is safe to eat for 3-4 days.

* Reheating: Always reheat cooked meatloaf to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to kill any bacteria.

When in doubt, throw it out! It's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to food safety.