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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are several common questions we receive about food safety, pork buying and preparation. For questions not answered here, please contact us.

Oven Perfect® Fresh Pork

Shopping

Cooking

Food Storage

Food Safety

Ingredients

Oven Perfect®

  • What if a label is inadvertently left on the package and is put in the oven and baked?
    • All Oven Perfect® fresh pork products have been thoroughly tested to ensure superior performance. Should a label be inadvertently left on the package, baking and eating quality are unaffected. The label will shrink and give off a mild odor in the oven, however it will only last a few minutes.
  • What is the ovenable package made of?
    • Oven Perfect packages are made from Mylar® film that is specially designed to go from the refrigerator or freezer directly to the oven.
  • Is the bag made out of recycled materials?
    • Oven Perfect packages do not contain any recycled material.
  • Is it safe to cook in the bag?
    • Oven Perfect packaging is designed specifically to cook in the bag and has been approved by the FDA and is BPA- free.
  • What does BPA-free mean?
    • BPA stands for “Bisphenol A” – a chemical that has been used to make certain plastics. Some research has shown that BPA can seep into food or beverages from containers that are made with BPA. Oven Perfect packages do not contain BPA.
  • Do I have to put the package on a pan in the oven?
    • We recommend placing Oven Perfect products on a foil-lined pan with a rimmed edge for best results. A pan is needed to support the package properly and to catch any drippings during cooking. Placing the package directly on oven rack is not recommended.
  • What if I don’t cut the package open as soon as it comes out of the oven?
    • When Oven Perfect products have finished cooking and have been removed from the oven, the internal temperature of the meat will continue to rise. If the package is not opened before the stand time, the meat temperature will rise even higher. The meat will still be moist and juicy; however, the internal temperature may have reached “well done” or higher. We recommend cutting the bag open as soon as it is removed from the oven and letting it rest 5 to 10 minutes before slicing the meat. The resting time also allows the meat juices to be reabsorbed into the meat before slicing.
  • Can I insert a thermometer into the meat (and cook to temperature) when I put it in the oven?
    • Oven Perfect products are designed to perfectly cook based on time and oven temperature, making it unnecessary to use a thermometer. Simply follow the package cooking instructions for perfectly cooked, tender, juicy and delicious pork. If you want to use a meat thermometer, please do not insert it until the packaging has self-vented so cooking times won’t be effected.
  • How do I get the cooking instructions if the label falls off in the store?
    • Oven Perfect cooking instructions are available on our website (farmlandfoods.com/cookovenperfect), or you may call our Consumer Relations department at 1‑888‑FARMLAND (327‑6526) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST.
  • Should I cover the product when the bag is in the pan?
    • Oven Perfect products are best cooked according to package instructions. It is not necessary to cover the package when it is in the oven. Oven Perfect ovenable bags self-vent during cooking, allowing the pork to brown while roasting. If the pan is covered, then dry-heat browning will not occur.
  • Can I use Oven Perfect products in a microwave?
    • Oven Perfect products are designed to cook in the bag in the oven. We do not recommend cooking Oven Perfect in the microwave.
  • Can I cook more than one Oven Perfect package at a time?
    • You can cook more than one Oven Perfect package at a time as long as the oven temperatures for each item are the same. Allow enough room between the packages so that the oven heat can circulate properly. Be sure to remove packages after the recommended cooking time for each item.
  • I followed the cooking instructions, but my Oven Perfect product was still pink in the center after I took it out of the oven. Is it fully cooked and safe to eat?
    • Cooking instructions on Oven Perfect packages are designed so that each cut is cooked to a perfectly done temperature. Farmland recommends cooking certain cuts of pork (tenderloins, loin filets, pork chops and loin roasts) to an internal temperature of 150°F. At this temperature, these cuts will be lightly pink in the center and will be fully cooked. You may use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork.
  • Can I grill Oven Perfect products?
    • Oven Perfect product are great right out of the bag and on the grill. Just follow the easy grilling instructions on our website.
  • Are Oven Perfect products gluten-free?
    • Most Oven Perfect products are gluten-free. Our Oven Perfect Parmesan Garlic Herb Loin Filet, made with Dale’s® Seasoning Tenderloin and Teriyaki Sesame Ginger Tenderloin contain gluten.

Shopping

  • What should I look for when I shop for pork?
    • Refrigerated meats should be cold, and frozen meats should be solid.
    • Don't buy meats with torn, bulging, dented or cracked packaging.
    • Buy before the "use by" or "sell by" date on the package.
    • Buy cold meat last and refrigerate immediately.
  • What does the "use by" or "sell by" date on the package mean?
    • The product is safe to eat before this date as long as the package is unopened and has been kept refrigerated.
    • No matter what the date states, once opened, the product is only safe to eat for 5 to 7 days.
  • How do I receive Farmland coupons?
    • Farmland now offers digital coupons through our enewsletter. Please sign up for our enewsletter to receive great deals on Farmland products. Just click the link from the enewsletter and print to your home printer. This convenient feature will replace mailing coupons to your home address.
  • Where can I find Farmland products in my area?

Cooking

  • Can I thaw frozen pork in the microwave?
    • Yes. Follow your microwave manufacturer's instructions for times and power levels.
    • Once thawed in the microwave, make sure to fully cook pork immediately.
  • To what internal temperature should I cook pork?
    • According to the new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines, pork chops, roasts and tenderloins can be safely cooked to medium rare at a final internal cooked temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit as measured by a food thermometer, followed by a three-minute rest time. When cooking a roast, we recommend letting it rest 15 to 20 minutes before slicing to allow juices to be reabsorbed and distributed throughout the roast.
  • How do I cook my Farmland Ham?
  • How do I cook my Farmland Fresh Pork?
  • How do I cook my Farmland Bacon?
  • How do I cook my Farmland Breakfast Sausage?
  • How do I cook my Farmland Dinner Sausage?
  • My roast isn't thawed completely. Can I still cook it?
    • Yes, it is safe to cook frozen or partially thawed pork in an oven, on a stove or a grill. The cooking time may be about 50% longer. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. It is best to cook frozen pork at an oven temperature of 325oF. If using a slow cooker, add 1/2 cup liquid to the pot with the pork.

Food Storage

  • What's the best way to store fresh pork before cooking?
    • Wrap meats in plastic or place in plastic food storage bag to prevent dripping.
    • Store meats on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator where food stays coldest and dripping meat juice will not contaminate other foods.
    • Uncooked pork will store 2 to 4 days refrigerated, unless the "use by" date states longer.
    • Freeze meat you won't be using in the next few days.
    • Keep your refrigerator at 40oF or below.
  • How do I properly wrap my fresh pork to keep it in the freezer?
    • Use specially coated freezer paper (wax side against the meat), heavy-duty aluminum foil, heavy-duty polyethylene film or heavy-duty plastic bags.
    • Rewrap pork in convenient portions: Leave roasts whole, place chops in meal-size packages, shape ground pork into patties. Put a double layer of waxed paper between chops and patties. Cover sharp bones with extra paper so the bones do not pierce the wrapping.
    • Wrap the meat tightly, pressing as much air out of the package as possible.
    • Label with the name of the pork cut and date.
    • Store uncooked frozen pork for 3 to 6 months, depending on the product.
    • Keep your freezer at 0oF or below.
  • What about freezing ham?
    • Farmland Spiral Cut Hams and Skinless Shankless Hams freeze very well for 3 to 6 months. Make sure they are tightly wrapped to prevent freezer burn.
    • Freezing water added hams or ham and water products will reduce the quality of the product. The additional water will expand during freezing and break the meat cell structure, causing the ham to be rubberlike when eating.
    • Leftover ham of any kind works well in soups or casseroles. Cut ham into slices or cubes and store in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.
  • I have leftovers from a big roast. How long can I keep them?
    • Leftovers should be placed in the refrigerator within 1 to 2 hours of serving. Store cooked leftovers in the coldest part of the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
    • Well-wrapped leftovers can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • Can pork be refrozen if it has thawed?
    • According to the USDA, food thawed in the refrigerator is safe to refreeze without cooking. Moisture loss during thawing may cause a loss in taste quality. After cooking raw food that was previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked food.
  • How long can I store pork products in the refrigerator and the freezer?
    • Unopened Farmland products can be stored in the refrigerator until the "use by" date.
    • Once opened, all Farmland products stored in the refrigerator should be used within 5 to 7 days.
    • Farmland products can be stored in a deep-freezer (-10oF) for up to 6 months.
    • Farmland products may be stored in a refrigerator freezer (0oF) for 2 to 3 months.

Food Safety

  • What steps can I take to ensure food safety while preparing meat?
  • What about trichinosis?
    • Although trichinae are virtually nonexistent in pork today because of feeding practices, it is killed at 136oF, well below the recommended 145oF end cooking temperature for pork.
  • Is it safe to eat leftover food that was left out on the counter to cool at dinnertime, then forgotten until morning?
    • No. If a food has been left in the "Danger Zone", between 40oF and 140oF, for more than 2 hours, discard it, even though it may look and smell good.
    • Never taste a food to see if it is spoiled. It is always best to use the rule "When in doubt, throw it out."
  • Is it safe to eat the product if I have stored it in the refrigerator, it is past the "use by" date and I haven't opened the package?
    • No. The "use by" date means that the product is safe to eat up until that date. It may or may not still be good, but there is no real way of knowing. Remember: When in doubt, throw it out!
  • How should I thaw my frozen pork item?
    • Always thaw products in the refrigerator-never on the counter!
    • Some items may be thawed in the microwave. Check the microwave manufacturer's instructions for details. Once thawed in the microwave, make sure to fully cook pork immediately.
  • How long is my lunchmeat or bacon safe to eat after I have opened the package?
    • Once you have opened the package, plan to eat lunchmeat, hot dogs, ham, smoked sausage and bacon within 5 to 7 days. Store the meat tightly wrapped in a sealed container in the coldest part of your refrigerator.

Ingredients

  • Do Farmland products contain gluten?
    • Spice formulations from our suppliers and secondary suppliers can change from time to time and still be correct under USDA labeling requirements. Because of this, along with the possibility of cross-contamination from the secondary suppliers to our own main ingredients, we cannot absolutely guarantee that any of our products will be gluten-free.
    • Farmland Foods does offer a line of All Natural Process Verified fresh pork. The "All Natural" is stated on the label, along with no antibiotic growth promotants, no added hormones, no artificial ingredients and minimal processing. While it does not have a gluten-free guarantee on the label, perhaps you can better evaluate if this fits into your diet plan.