While freezer-burned food will not cause illness, it may be tough or tasteless when consumed. Freezer burn means improper packaging allowed air to dry out the food surface. If food removed from the freezer is found to have white, dried-out patches, freezer burn has occurred. Make sure to use a food thermometer to check whether food has reached a safe internal temperature. Follow the cooking instructions on the package to assure safety of commercially frozen foods. Cook frozen foods safely. Raw or cooked meat, poultry or casseroles can be cooked or reheated from the frozen state, but it will take about one and a half times as long to cook.It is not recommended to thaw food on the kitchen counter. When using the microwave, plan to cook it immediately after thawing. Change the water every 30 minutes and cook immediately after thawing. Once food is thawed in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze it without cooking, although there may be a loss of quality due to the moisture lost through thawing. For faster thawing, place food in a leak proof plastic bag and immerse it in cold water. Most foods require a day or two to thaw in the refrigerator except small items may defrost overnight. Plan ahead and thaw foods in the refrigerator. There are three ways to thaw food safely: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. If freezing meat and poultry in its original package longer than 2 months, cover these packages with heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap, or freezer paper or place the package inside a freezer bag. Use proper packaging. To help maintain quality and prevent freezer burn, use plastic freezer bags, freezer paper, freezer Aluminum foil, or plastic containers with the snowflake symbol. Containers not suitable for long-term freezer storage (unless they are lined with freezer bag or wrap) include plastic food storage bags, milk cartons, cottage cheese cartons, whipped cream containers, butter or margarine containers, and plastic bread or other product bags.Because freezing keeps food safe indefinitely, freezer storage times are recommended for quality (flavor, color, texture, etc.) only. Use an appliance thermometer to monitor the temperature. Home freezers should be kept at 0☏ (-18☌) or lower. Reach out to the manufacturer if you have questions or concerns about the quality and safety of the packaged foods. A product should be safe if the date-labeling phrase (e.g., best if used by/before, sell-by, use-by, or freeze-by) passes during home storage until spoilage occurs except for infant formula. Throw out perishable foods that should no longer be eaten due to spoilage (e.g., develop an off odor, flavor, or texture). Review what you have and what needs to be used. Clean the surface using hot, soapy water and then rinse.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |