Keeping food in a frozen state during storage so bacterial growth stays halted and quality is maintained.
Keeping food in a frozen state during storage so bacterial growth stays halted and quality is maintained. Frozen storage is the holding of food in a frozen state so that food-poisoning bacteria cannot multiply and the food keeps for long periods. While food is frozen solid, bacteria remain dormant, so frozen storage is a reliable way to preserve meat, seafood, prepared meals and many other perishable foods well beyond their fresh shelf life. For food to stay safe in frozen storage, it must remain frozen throughout. If a freezer runs too warm or food partially thaws, it can re-enter the temperature danger zone of 5 degrees C to 60 degrees C, where bacteria become active again. Freezing preserves food in the condition it was in when frozen, so quality and safety depend on the food being handled hygienically and frozen while fresh, and on the freezer holding a stable frozen temperature. Australian food businesses monitor freezer temperatures to make sure food stays frozen, keep freezers from being overloaded or their doors left open, and label and date-mark frozen stock so it is rotated and used in order. Data loggers or freezer thermometers help prove the freezer held a stable temperature over time. Frozen food should be thawed in a controlled way, such as in the fridge, when it is taken out of frozen storage, so it does not sit in the danger zone. Raw food that has thawed should not be refrozen, and any freezer breakdown that lets food thaw needs to be assessed before the food is used, since refreezing does not make thawed, mishandled food safe. A pub keeps frozen chips, portioned meats and prepared desserts in a chest freezer that is checked daily with a freezer thermometer. Stock is labelled with the date it went in and used oldest first. When the freezer alarm shows a warm spell overnight, staff assess whether items partially thawed before deciding what can be kept.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should a freezer hold?
A freezer should keep food frozen solid and hold a stable frozen temperature. If food starts to soften or thaw, it may re-enter the danger zone.
Does frozen storage keep food safe forever?
Frozen storage stops bacterial growth for a long time, but quality declines over months. Label and date food and use it within a reasonable period.
What happens if a freezer breaks down?
Food that has thawed may become unsafe. Assess how warm it got and for how long, and do not simply refreeze raw food that has thawed.
Should frozen food be labelled?
Yes. Date-marking and labelling let you rotate stock, use older items first, and know how long food has been stored.
Can I refreeze food from frozen storage?
Raw food that has thawed should not be refrozen. Food that has been thawed and then cooked can be frozen, though quality may be affected.
