To make the most of food, sometimes we decide to freeze it to use it at another time. Also, before throwing away what we have bought or has left over, we decide to store it in the freezer. And although freezing food is a good option to preserve it, the reality is that food in the freezer also has an expiration date.
La Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition They emphasize the way in which we should preserve food, since a bad method can cause gastrointestinal diseases and food poisoning. «Freezing is a safe method of food preservation that prolongs its useful life and in turn contributes to reducing food waste. If food is kept at constant temperatures of -18 °C or below, the microorganisms that alter it and that can cause illness are inactivated," explains AESAN.
How should food be frozen?
The size and type of ingredients determine the storage time in the freezer. The most correct is to freeze food in small portions so that they freeze sooner. Cooked foods cannot be frozen instantly, they have to be chilled first, as freezing them hot negatively affects the temperature of other products in the freezer and impairs the quality and flavor of the product being frozen. Food should not be refrozen either, since if it is frozen several times its contamination is facilitated. "It is necessary to take a series of precautions and follow correct guidelines to safely freeze, store and later defrost food," they comment from the agency.
How long can food be frozen?
According to the indications of the AESAN, the time that a frozen food can be depends on its type and size. This is the time they can be according to their type:
- Fresh meat (beef, lamb and pork): from four to twelve months.
- Hamburgers and minced meat: three to four months.
- Fresh poultry meat: whole chickens and turkeys one year, loose parts twelve months.
- Fin fish: blue fish from two to three months, white fish from four to eight months.
- Shellfish: Lobster or live clams and mussels should not be frozen.
- Soups and stews with vegetables or meat: two to three months.
- Leftovers: between two and six months, but it will depend on the ingredients they contain.
Other factors to preserve food in the freezer.
In addition to the type and size, there are other factors that imply a good preservation of food. They must be well protected by using airtight containers or bags. They can also be frozen in their own container. Also, you have to freeze them before their best-before or expiration date. Foods when frozen extend their useful life, since the growth of bacteria is slowed down, so they can be consumed after the expiration date that appears on the label.
Finally, not only a good freezing is important, but also a good defrosting. The AESAN does not recommend defrosting food at room temperature. There are several ways to defrost food well, the most common are: in the refrigerator in the coldest part, in the microwave, food well distributed inside and in the pan or casserole, depending on the food, for example vegetables and hamburgers can be defrosted directly.
