wrobert avatar
wrobertBeach Fanatic
3,929 views
If you have something in the freezer for two years, how would you know, other than looks, if it was fit for human consumption?

Replies

20
scooterbug44 avatar
scooterbug44SoWal Expert
#2
Feed it to someone you don't like and take notes! :rofl:

Seriously I think you aren't supposed to freeze items more than 6 months and you should check for any signs of thawing/refreezing, breaks in the packaging/wrapping, and freezer burn.
Franny avatar
FrannyBeach Fanatic
#3
Ummm if you date the package it takes the guess work out of the equation. :wub:
wrobert avatar
wrobertBeach FanaticAuthor
#4
Feed it to someone you don't like and take notes! :rofl:

Seriously I think you aren't supposed to freeze items more than 6 months and you should check for any signs of thawing/refreezing, breaks in the packaging/wrapping, and freezer burn.

I kind of think that is what happened. But if there are not visible signs of damage, refreezing, things of that nature, should food be okay just sitting in a freezer for the long? If the freezer stayed cold then nothing should have grown on it. At least I would not think so. But to have something sitting around for that period of time is a bit scary to me, I know I throw old stuff away when I find it in my freezer.
wrobert avatar
wrobertBeach FanaticAuthor
#5
Ummm if you date the package it takes the guess work out of the equation. :wub:


What guess work? I know the food was in the freezer for two years, I am trying to come to a conclusion as to if it would still be fit for human consumption.
Franny avatar
FrannyBeach Fanatic
#6
What guess work? I know the food was in the freezer for two years, I am trying to come to a conclusion as to if it would still be fit for human consumption.

Whether it would kill you I don't know but freezer burn food is not tasty.
wrobert avatar
wrobertBeach FanaticAuthor
#7
Whether it would kill you I don't know but freezer burn food is not tasty.

So does the food get 'burn' after a period of time. I ask this because I have never left anything in my freeze for that period of time.
Franny avatar
FrannyBeach Fanatic
#8
So does the food get 'burn' after a period of time. I ask this because I have never left anything in my freeze for that period of time.

Yes and it has a foul taste. My aging grandmother left food, mainly vegatables out of the garden, in the freezer for too long and believe me I can still remember the horrible taste. What is the food in queston not that it should really matter.
wrobert avatar
wrobertBeach FanaticAuthor
#9
Yes and it has a foul taste. My aging grandmother left food, mainly vegatables out of the garden, in the freezer for too long and believe me I can still remember the horrible taste. What is the food in queston not that it should really matter.


Actually some chicken strips. Like tenders I guess.
John R avatar
John Rneeds to get out more
#10
freezer burn is evident in taste and depending on the food visual. meat will have gone from dark red to a chalky pink. safe to eat yes, palatable no. there will also be a good amount of ice crystals on the inside of the of wrapping, since freezer burn is actually the leeching of moisture from food. an age old adage in kitchens, 'when in doubt, throw it out'
Mermaidpicky
#11
If you have something in the freezer for two years, how would you know, other than looks, if it was fit for human consumption?

Funny that you should ask this because today I spent the day giving the fridge and freezer a long overdue cleaning/clean-out. It was a very profitable day as I found a nice bottle of micro brew in the back. 😀 Anyway, this is the website you want:

http://www.health.state.mn.us/foodsafety/store/cold.html
wrobert avatar
wrobertBeach FanaticAuthor
#12
Funny that you should ask this because today I spent the day giving the fridge and freezer a long overdue cleaning/clean-out. It was a very profitable day as I found a nice bottle of micro brew in the back. 😀 Anyway, this is the website you want:

http://www.health.state.mn.us/foodsafety/store/cold.html


So after looking at that it would seem that it would be a bit unhealthy to serve two year old frozen chicken.
Will B avatar
Will BModerator
#13
When we bring shrimp back from Sowal, I bag it in portions for two in zip top bags. I fill them with water and draw off the air. The shrimp are in a solid block of ice where the moisture cannot be drawn out. I've eaten them over a year later, and they still tasted brand new fresh!
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#14
When we bring shrimp back from Sowal, I bag it in portions for two in zip top bags. I fill them with water and draw off the air. The shrimp are in a solid block of ice where the moisture cannot be drawn out. I've eaten them over a year later, and they still tasted brand new fresh!

This works with almost any seafood. The trick is to make sure you are freezing fresh seafood. Refrozen shrimp will turn into a disgusting mush when cooked.

Adding salt to the water is a bad idea. If possible use distilled water too.
ShallowsNole avatar
ShallowsNoleBeach Fanatic
#15
I'll go with the shrimp in water in baggie trick too. That has worked for us in the past. Although, since late 2004 and because we no longer have to grow/raise our own food, I get nervous if it is hurricane season and there is too much "good" food in the freezer. Case in point - we lost 40 lbs of shrimp after Ivan. :cry: Taking it out five days later was most unappealing. :puke:

GOP, don't eat the chicken. It's probably "safe," but I'd guarantee it's fburned.
wrobert avatar
wrobertBeach FanaticAuthor
#16
I'll go with the shrimp in water in baggie trick too. That has worked for us in the past. Although, since late 2004 and because we no longer have to grow/raise our own food, I get nervous if it is hurricane season and there is too much "good" food in the freezer. Case in point - we lost 40 lbs of shrimp after Ivan. :cry: Taking it out five days later was most unappealing. :puke:

GOP, don't eat the chicken. It's probably "safe," but I'd guarantee it's fburned.

I would not have eaten it. Just tell your son to avoid the chicken during the day.
Franny avatar
FrannyBeach Fanatic
#17
So after looking at that it would seem that it would be a bit unhealthy to serve two year old frozen chicken.

Use the old chicken in a crab trap!!
Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#18
ShallowsNole, you should have had a Shrimp Boil when the 40# of shrimp thawed. Hurricane Evacs make for great eating.
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#19
ShallowsNole, you should have had a Shrimp Boil when the 40# of shrimp thawed. Hurricane Evacs make for great eating.

So that shrimp is a starter course before you eat the evacuees? 😀
ShallowsNole avatar
ShallowsNoleBeach Fanatic
#20
ShallowsNole, you should have had a Shrimp Boil when the 40# of shrimp thawed. Hurricane Evacs make for great eating.

Unfortunately, I wasn't here for the thawing. :( Being as I had Squirt, two cats in carriers, a Labrador, important papers and food for all of the above in a Camry, I wasn't thinking about the shrimp. :roll:

I am, however, most glad that I insisted on a drain in the floor of our laundry/freezer/spare toilet/tornado warning room. :cool:

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