Quick Questions on food safety / sell by / use by dates

Pippin12

Hi all you lovely oldstylers. Just a quick query - I took a homemade vegetarian chilli out of the freezer yesterday and it defrosted around the edges only. I then put it back in the freezer to refreeze it. In it there are red kidney beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers and sweetcorn. Is it ok to refreeze or will it poison me? I tried to google this but without much luck. Any ideas?

vouchersrme

I think it will be fine, let it boil for 10 to 15 mins to make sure.

blossomhill_2

oh dear, would you really take the word of someone you don't know on a forum to decide whether or not you will get poisoned? I hope you get advice that will help you make an informed decision ...
I sometimes decide to cook meat that I've defrosted a bit too long and then chicken out of eating it, so would you really fancy your meal if there was the slightest doubt it was ok?

(X-posted with vouchers, not a comment on her posting!)

Eliza_2

Not that I'm giving advice, but I wouldn't have the slightest qualms whatsoever about it. Wouldn't think twice. I'd simmer it on top of the stove - it hasn't got any meat in it which is the component that is likely to cause a problem, if at all, not the veg.

And it wouldn't poison me anyway, at the very worst I'd get a slight tummy problem - but with no meat and served very hot, no problem at all (to me) and I would thoroughly enjoy it.

In fact, send it round!

marmiterulesok

I would eat it.I would make sure it was pipping hot though.:)

blossomhill_2

Eliza wrote: »

Not that I'm giving advice, but I wouldn't have the slightest qualms whatsoever about it. Wouldn't think twice. I'd simmer it on top of the stove - it hasn't got any meat in it which is the component that is likely to cause a problem, if at all, not the veg.

And it wouldn't poison me anyway, at the very worst I'd get a slight tummy problem - but with no meat and served very hot, no problem at all (to me) and I would thoroughly enjoy it.

In fact, send it round!

It has kidney beans which are a source of a fatal toxin if not prepared properly - I've known people have poisoning from watercress (long hospital stay) eggs (ditto) hot chocolate powder (out of date) rice (reheated = hospital) and potatoes, so I would advise caution even if meat isn't an ingredient

Eliza_2

blossomhill wrote: »

It has kidney beans which are a source of a fatal toxin if not prepared properly

But only if uncooked or undercooked. My understanding is that this chilli has already been well cooked. And if the beans were originally tinned they're cooked anyway, even before making the dish.

Ok, then, throw it out.

But again, I wouldn't in a million years - if it was me of course. We are far too paranoid about this kind of thing, common sense, cooking things well till they're really hot and bubbling sorts most things out. (though I wouldn't eat rice that has been cooked and left out of the fridge for a day or so, I agree there)



Alternatively cut out the bit that defrosted and eat the rest. But totally unnecessary and absolutely ridiculous!!

Meadows

If you had a power cut and food started to defrost it may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 4.4°C or below. Partial thawing and refreezing may affect the quality of some food, but the food should be safe to eat.
If it still contains ice crystals and feels as cold as if refrigerated then casseroles, stews, soups should refreeze.

The thing is you have to ask yourself and not others is it safe to eat, what one person does and what another does varies. At the end of the day you have to trust your gut instincts. You say it was defrosted around the edges, but how much around the edges, how long had it been out of the freezer, how was it defrosted, had it been cooked and frozen at its ultimate?, only you know how the food was and only you can make the judgement on whether to eat or not!

[Deleted User]

personally myself I would defrost it ,heat until it was piping hot and eat it ,but then I rarely take any notice of the food doom and gloomers I have eaten stuff in my life that would make your hair curl and I'm still here I think its just a case of common sense really.

MadelinesMum

Hi, I'm not sure about the kidney beans so I think I'd give it a miss. TBH it would make me feel ill just thinking it might make me ill - but I have got a weak stomach, lol.