Frozen food safety- misconceptions

rosie383

I agree with the others. I will take stuff out that has been lurking in the freezer for a looong time. Never had a problem, and as PP says, you will know if it is off!

chelseabun_3

I agree too! We've just finished a shepherds pie made with mince that had been in the freezer for at least 4 years! It tasted fine (really good, actually:cool:) - and I was expecting the lamb to be a bit weird, but it wasn't at all. Go for it! But do the usual visual and smelly checks!:rotfl:

CBx

lollipopsarah

Haha I found a duck in my freezer a while ago, well out of date, but I thawed it slowly and it cooked up lovely.
Bit wary of fish though - dunno why.
I echo the above, thaw it/sniff it.
Then if in doubt - chuck it out.
xx

Barneysmom

lollipopsarah wrote: »

Haha I found a duck in my freezer a while ago

That made me laugh, finding a duck in the freezer, it tickled me


I leave stuff in mine for ages.

meritaten

yeah - tickled me too- it sounded as if the poster had no idea how a duck got in there! lmao!
anyways - I have always religiously defrosted my freezer once a year (or when the drawers dont shut anymore) and am constantly surprised by plastic bags of single steaks/chops/chicken breasts! they are then consolidated and I am then pleasantly surprised that I have enough to feed two to six people!I dont worry too much how long they have been there - tbh once defrosted you will know by the smell/texture/look if they have been there too long! tho I have to say its only happened once in the last 20odd years - and the meat may well have been a bit 'iffy' when I put it in there!

maman

Like other posters, I eat stuff that's been in my freezer for months and years with no ill effects.

I think that frozen food can deteriorate in a quality sense in that it can get a bit dried out with 'freezer burn'. That might reduce its quality or taste but it doesn't make it unsafe to eat in any way.

That's my take, do tell me if I'm wrong.

Farzackerly

I recently ate a pound of cream cheese that had been in the chest freezer for the best part of a decade. When thawed, it was quite finely crumbly, but all the better for sprinkling on dishes.
A fillet of salmon had been lurking at the bottom of the freezer for at least 7 years before it got captured and eaten - no funny results from that either

Barneysmom

It does make me wonder why we buy these things and not eat them, are we just plain old food collectors?
I've often thought it must be something pre-programmed in us (women in particular) from cavemen times when food was scarce so we'd have to stash it?

Farway

Barneysmom wrote: »

It does make me wonder why we buy these things and not eat them, are we just plain old food collectors?
I've often thought it must be something pre-programmed in us (women in particular) from cavemen times when food was scarce so we'd have to stash it?

I did see a programme once, and it is pre - programmed in, as is stuff your face with loads of high calorie, fatty food when there is plenty

Ideal in caveman times, not so good wondering around a supermarket with "bargain" offers, or at a buffet party

zippychick

this thread is a great read. Cant think right now if there is an other thread....

will merge ths later on for you

Zip