Everything you gotta know about consuming freezer burned food.
Freezer burn strikes again.
This sort of discovery might have you wondering if you should probably make a trip to the store.
Credit:Getty Images
Can you eat freezer burned food?
The short answer is yes, it is safe to eat freezer burned food.
Here’s what to know before you thaw that food.
Chelsea Edwardsis a registered dietitian and the owner ofHuntsville Nutrition Collectivein Huntsville, Alabama.
What Is Freezer Burn?
Freezer burn triggers when the moisture in food is evaporated and replaced with oxygen.
Evaporation occurs from a solid state to a gas in a process called sublimation."
Is Freezer Burned Food Safe To Eat?
Freezer burn affects a food’s quality,not safety.
you might’t fix freezer burn, but you don’t have to throw out freezer burned food.
Heavily freezer burned foods may not be worth saving since the quality will be diminished.
What Does Freezer Burn Look Like?
Foods that are freezer burned are often tough, dry, and discolored.
Raw chicken may turn white, raw beef may turn brown, and vegetables may fade in color.
“This often happens with meat,frozen desserts, and produce, Edwards explains.
The texture is often impacted the most by freezer burn.
What Does Freezer Burned Food Taste Like?
Freezer burn can also pull some of the flavor molecules out and make the food taste worse overall.”
How Long Can Food Be Frozen?
The USDA says foods can be frozen indefinitely if stored properly at the right temperature.
But after a certain amount of time, that roast isn’t going to taste as appealing.
Raw chicken is best within nine months.
Frozen vegetables are best within one year.
Here are some tips to keep food freezer burn free.
Though the original packaging is safe, it is permeable and can allow air in.
Keep At A Steady Temperature
Set the freezer temperature to cold, low, or 0F.
“Also, be sure your freezer is closed each time you open it,” Edwards says.
Fluctuating temperatures can cause ice crystals to form, leading to freezer burn.
Cool cooked foods in the refrigerator overnight, wrap for storage, and freeze.
An overpacked freezer can cause blockage of the air vents and doesn’t allow air to circulate.
Aim to fill a freezer to about three-quarters full.
This will also help you use items that have been in the freezer the longest.
So two-year-old meat may not taste as good, but it is safe to eat.
Freezer burn does not cause food poisoning.
It affects the food’s quality, not its safety.
It preserves food and prevents the growth of microorganisms that cause food-borne illnesses and spoiling.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.AskUSDA: What is freezer burn?
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Freezing and Food Safety.
Safefood.Storing food in the freezer.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.AskUSDA: Can meat and poultry be frozen in original packaging?
