That glossy jelly around your Spam is not a factory mistake or a hidden chemical trick. It’s natural gelatin, created when collagen from the pork slowly breaks down during cooking and then sets as the can cools. In a properly sealed, undamaged can, that clear or slightly amber gel is a sign of normal processing, helping keep the meat moist, tender, and flavorful over months or even years of storage.
Trouble starts when the jelly looks or smells wrong. Cloudy, greenish, or dark patches, a sour or rotten odor, bulging or leaking cans, or meat that’s gray, slimy, or unevenly colored all point to spoilage—and in those cases, it should be thrown away immediately. If everything looks and smells normal, you can safely eat the jelly, melt it into your cooking, or simply rinse it off. When in doubt, trust your senses and your safety.