What Foods can be Frozen?
How to Keep Food Safely and Properly in the Freezer
Freezing is a great way to store raw and cooked food safely, and to preserve foods which otherwise spoil quickly. Many people are often surprised to learn that from a safety point of view, most food can actually be stored in a freezer indefinitely provided the temperature remains at zero degrees. Freezing slows the movement of microbes and inactivates bacteria and yeasts but does not destroy them so defrosted foods should be treated as fresh foods are.
Food quality, however, is another matter, and it is this factor alone which often limits what can actually be frozen as well as the length of time a food should remain in the freezer.
Foods Which Lose Quality When Frozen
- Foods with a high water content, such as lettuce and bell peppers, lose their texture significantly when frozen
- Mayonnaise and other cream-based foods such as sour cream have a tendency to separate and therefore are best not to be frozen
- Eggs in their shells will explode in the freezer and are best frozen once separated
- Cooked egg whites have a tendency to become rubbery
- Potatoes (cooked or raw) tend to lose texture and the flavour may alter
Foods Which are not Safe to Freeze
Tins or cans of food are not safe to freeze. However, removing the food from the container and packaging it properly is perfectly acceptable..
Freezing can Enhance Flavour
Sauces and stocks often have their flavour intensified after freezing due to the loss of water content. This can often enhance the flavour but for this same reason, adding seasoning to a dish after it has been frozen is sometimes preferred.
Previously Frozen Food
Provided a food was properly and safely defrosted in a fridge, and has been handled properly, it can be re-frozen safely. This is true of both raw and previously cooked foods.
Freezer Burn
Freezer burn is caused by the food being exposed to air, and does not affect the safety of a product. It can however alter the quality - including taste or texture - and so is best dealt with by removing the area affected.
Best Way to Store Food in the Freezer
Ensuring food has been correctly packaged will reduce the likelihood of freezer burn and keep the quality of the food for longer. Food is best frozen when purchased and it is always better to keep a freezer full. Using the fast freeze option in a freezer is ideal as food quality and safety is better when it is frozen quickly. Store packaging is fine if an item will be used in the shorter term but changing the packing or over-wrapping may be required to limit air contact with the food item in the longer term.
In summary, it is mainly quality of food which is affected by freezing and many foods can safely be frozen indefinitely. Freezing can change the flavour or texture of certain foods and can also improve flavour. Further information can be obtained from your Health and Safety government offices, such as the US Department of Agriculture (Food Safety and Insepction Service), which was used when researching this article.
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