Freezing food is a way to preserve it for a long time and consume it safely when the product has been correctly handled for storage prior to, during and after freezing.
It is likely that you have had a piece of meat or other frozen products for months, we check if frozen food spoils at some point and if so, for how long it is safe to consume it.
The storage time in the freezer to keep food in optimal quality conditions depends on the type of product.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) notes that freezing keeps food safe almost indefinitely.
“Food stored constantly at 0° F will always be safe”, affirms the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
Freezing at 0 °F inactivates any microbe (bacteria, yeast and mold) pr present in food. However, once thawed, these microbes can become active again.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The CDC recommends thawing frozen food safely in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave and never letting food thaw on the counter, because bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature.
Suggested freezing time for food
Recommended storage times are for quality (taste and texture) only. When food is frozen for a long time, in some cases it may develop a stale or unpleasant odor or will get freezer burn when frozen for a long time.
Freezer burn does not mean that the food not safe for consumption. Proper product packaging helps prevent freezer burn.
“Some may not look perfect or be of sufficient quality to serve on their own, but they may be edible; use them to make soups or stews,” suggests the USDA.
Optimum time to store food in the freezer
Bacon and sausage, 1 to 2 months
Egg whites or egg substitutes, for 12 months
Frozen dinners and entrees, from 3 to 4 months
Sauce, meat or poultry, from 2 to 3 months
Ham, hot dogs and cold cuts, 1 to 2 months
Raw meat, 4 to
months
Meat, raw steaks or chops, 4 to 12 months
Raw ground beef, 3 to 4 months
Cooked meat, 2 at 3 months
Whole raw birds, for
months
Poultry, cooked, for 4 months
Soups and stews, from 2 to 3 months
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