Nearly every family relies on their freezer to keep food fresh and safe to eat. However, there are a few simple tips that you might not know about that will keep your food safe to eat.
The very first rule is that to remain safe for long periods of time, food needs to be frozen at -18 degrees Celsius. Since most home freezers don’t stay at that temperature all the time (particularly if you open the door often) it’s usually safer to store frozen foods for shorter periods of time. Even frozen foods will deteriorate over time, but freezing does stop the development of mould, yeast and bacteria, all of which can be dangerous or even deadly. Finally, when home freezing foods, make sure that you don’t refreeze food that has been thawed. It can be dangerous.
When it comes to defrosting food, most experts will tell you that it’s safest to defrost food in the fridge. This requires a little planning ahead, however, so if you’re short on time, opt for the microwave. Make sure that you use the defrosted food quickly option however, as microwaves tend to heat unevenly, and there may be some cooked patches on the food. Also avoid defrosting food in the sink or on a counter, as it can cause mould, bacteria and other potentially harmful substances to start growing again. Try to avoid defrosting frozen fruits and vegetables too, as they tend to lose their shape and become soggy.
