Corned Beef Bag Not Tight

[Spacecase]

I picked up a nice corned beef brisket at Costco over the weekend. When I got home, I realized that the bag is not vacuum sealed. It is sealed and is not leaking, it is just not a tight bag. The expiration date is 05/01/21, so it has awhile to go. Assuming that it doesn't smell funky when I open the bag, should I keep it and cook it? Or should it go back to Costco? Thanks.

[Jerod Broussard]

I wouldn't be worried. If it was expanded like a balloon ready to pop I would release it into the back yard atmosphere.

[Spinaker]

I would keep it. If there were a problem, it would more than likely be bloated. It might smell a little funky, just because it has been aging, but I bet it is fine. If it smells rancid, obviously throw it out. I have had packs like this too, only one was bloated and I threw that one out.

[HawkerXP]

Costcow will take anything back. You needn't haul the bad meat back with you if that turns out to be bad.

[HawkerXP]

Question: Was any of them vacuum packed?

The one I got from Safeway was just in a sealed bag.

[klflowers]

Most of the ones I get are tightly packaged, but not vacuum packed.

[Huskee]

Same as above, if it's not leaking it's good. Mine are never vac sealed tight, just sealed sorta like deli lunch meat. Also you can't always trust that exp date. I've bought a few that said 5/1 to save through April and on 4/20-something they were swelled up, spoiled.

[Spacecase]

So I popped open the bag this morning and it smelled like corned beef. So into the pot it went. Thanks to all for the feedback.

[Spacecase]

After action report: It was delicious.