Opened a can of Spam and found it sitting in a clear jelly. Is that normal or did it go bad

Totally normal — your Spam did **not** go bad. 👍

What you’re seeing is **natural meat jelly**, and it’s actually expected when you open a can of Spam.

### Why Spam Has Clear Jelly in It

Spam is made from pork shoulder and ham, which contain **collagen**. During the cooking and canning process:

* The meat is cooked under high heat and pressure
* Collagen breaks down into **gelatin**
* As the can cools, that gelatin solidifies into a **clear or slightly cloudy jelly**

So that jelly is basically **concentrated meat stock** that set into gel form. It’s harmless and safe to eat.

### What It Should Look Like

Normal Spam jelly:

* Clear to pale yellow
* Firm or jiggly
* No strong or sour smell

When you cook the Spam, the jelly melts right away.
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