I just bought this pack of ground beef from the store yesterday and put it in the fridge. I went to cook dinner and noticed the plastic film is puffed up like a balloon, but the date is still good. Wh

2. Why Ground Beef Packaging Sometimes Balloons

There are several reasons why the plastic packaging might appear bloated. One common cause is the presence of gases produced by bacteria as they begin to break down the meat. These gases can build up inside the packaging, causing it to expand.
However, not all bloating is due to spoilage. Modified atmosphere packaging is often used to extend the shelf life of meat by replacing oxygen with gases like carbon dioxide or nitrogen. This can sometimes cause the packaging to appear puffed up, even when the meat is still fresh.