Food safety

taxsaver

There is no reason why any food, including meats, cannot be frozen more than once (even without changing its state). The 'general' advice given is, as in many things, erring on the side of caution and set to the lowest common denominator (that is people who are lacking much/any sense and might leave something out at room temperature for hours and THEN refreeze!).

If meats are defrosted slowly in a refrigerator then they can indeed be re-frozen without undue risk. The problem arises when people thaw at room temperature, which allows microbes to start breeding on the defrosted part whilst the centre is still frozen.... defrost in the fridge and this is largely avoided.

Naturally, all foods suffer some degree of loss of texture on each freezing and thawing, but that will only lessen the palatability and not cause any harm.

So given that your freezer is still full of ice it is highly unlikely that the temperature has fallen below that of a refrigerator and you should be fine to refreeze most things, including the chicken. I certainly wouldn't throw the chicken out, but if you're not comfortable refreezing it then cook with it today.

Of all the things you mention, icecream is the one I'd be most unsure about as when it softens and then is refrozen you tend to get ice crystals in it and it's unpleasant to eat.

xxvickixx

Thank you. I have decided to cook the large joints now and slice and freeze again. I'll cook the chicken, maybe do a curry and freeze. Not going to throw away anything so that is one thing at least!

squeaky

From:- http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/homehygiene/Pages/how-to-store-food-safely.aspx

Freezing and defrosting

It’s safe to freeze meat and fish as long as you:

• Freeze it before the use-by date.
• Defrost meat and fish thoroughly before cooking. Lots of liquid will come out as meat thaws, so stand it in a bowl to stop bacteria in the juice spreading to other things.
• Defrost in a microwave if you intend to cook straightaway. Otherwise, put it in the fridge to thaw so that it doesn't get too warm.
• Cook food until it's piping hot all the way through.

“Make sure the meat is properly wrapped in the freezer or it might get freezer burn, which will make it tough and inedible,” says Hudson.
“Date and label meat in the freezer and eat it within 24 hours of defrosting. Don't keep food in a freezer indefinitely. Always have a good idea of what’s in your fridge and freezer.”

See also:- http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/foodsafe/homefood.html

roddydogs

Is it worth the risk (the Meat) for the sake of a few pounds? I wouldn't personally.

mothsinmywallet_2

If the icecream has gone at all soft it will get ice crystals in it when refrozen. Not terribly pleasant to eat when it's like that but not sure if it would do you any harm!

Triggles

I have a couple tins of pumpkin puree that are dated August 2011. Still sealed in the tin. No dents or bulges. Should still be good, right??

I have found a lovely recipe for Pumpkin Guiness Gingerbread that I want to make, and don't want to waste money on a new tin of pumpkin if these are still okay to use.

Don't tinned foods last pretty much forever? (feeling hopeful )

shebangs

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troll35

I'd use them too. Can we have the recipe please. I've got several pumpkins to hollow out for lanterns with the kiddies and I'm loath to just compost all the flesh. I do like sweet pumpkin pie but there's only me that will eat it. I don't like pumpkin soup and so I'm looking for lots of alternatives and a cake with 'hidden' pumpkin in it sounds nice.

Triggles

Thank you very much. I was hoping others would say it was okay to use. DH said it'd be fine, but he eats stuff that I wouldn't touch with a barge pole - the man has a cast iron stomach!!

Here's the link for the recipe. http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2010/10/16/pumpkin-guinnes-gingerbread-with-cream-cheese-frosting/

Doom_and_Gloom

Canned goods can last decades if canned correctly. As it is most, if not all, canned goods have best before dates and not use by dates. I would happily eat canned goods 6+ months past the best before date as long as it looked good on opening and didn't smell odd.