Freezing is a great and convenient way to store foods and prolong their shelf life. Freezing keeps food safe by slowing the movement of molecules, inactivating the microbes. It preserves food for extended periods because it prevents the growth of microorganisms that cause both food spoilage and foodborne illness.

Making use of your freezer will help you save money from groceries by reducing food wastes. It also saves time and energy in doing the preparations and cooking. If foods are properly frozen, it will remain safe for consumption for a long time, although the quality – appearance, color, taste and texture may differ, if storage is prolonged.

Below are some tips to help you freeze your foods safely:

• Freeze foods at their peak quality. Freshness and quality at the time of freezing affect the condition of frozen foods. Freeze it right away to retain its quality. You can put most foods straight in the freezer with little or no preparations. For fruits and vegetables, blanch them first before freezing to prevent deterioration.
• Cool cooked foods before freezing.
  Freezing food while it is hot will raise the temperature of your freezer and could cause other foods to start defrosting. It is important to cool cooked foods first on your counter-top before putting it in the freezer in a sealed container.
• Freeze in small quantity.
  According to Food Safety Information Council of Australia, it will take time to freeze large amount of food thus bacteria could proliferate and cause spoilage. It is better to freeze your food in portions in separate containers for faster freezing. This will also help you defrost the food easily and will allow you to use enough quantity you need without defrosting the whole large foods.
• Wrap your foods.
  Proper packaging maintains the quality of your frozen food. Seal your foods to prevent freezer burn. Use "freezer" bags and not "storage" bags for storing food in the freezer. Freezer bags are thicker than storage bags and will keep the food fresh longer. You may also use tight sealed containers in freezing your foods.
• Don’t forget the label.

It is important to put label on your stored foods. You might forget what and when you put those food in. Avoid mystery meats and other foods in your freezer. Label them with the name of food and packaging date to guide you.

From the tips above, you know how to freeze your foods safely. Now, how these will be thawed properly?

Proper thawing is important to ensure food safety. Remember that freezing may not kill all the microorganisms, some were just inactivated caused by very low temperature. They may become active again when food is thawed which is crucial for food spoilage and unsafe for consumption.

The best way to thaw frozen foods is through your refrigerator. Perishable foods should never be thawed on the counter or in hot water and must not be left in room temperature for two hours. Plan your meals ahead and thaw food items in your fridge where it will remain at a safe, constant temperature — at 5 °C or below. If you are preparing a dish for the next day, make sure to put it in the fridge earlier!

Thawing in the fridge also allows you to refreeze it without cooking though there may be decrease in quality due to moisture loss.

You may use cold water for faster thawing but make sure to use a leak proof plastic bag to avoid bacteria from the surrounding reach your food. Make sure that the water stays cold and change water every 30 minutes. Cook the food immediately after thawing.

Microwave can also be used in thawing but be careful, it can get warm enough to allow harmful bacteria to grow. Cook it right away!

Proper freezing and thawing is essential to ensure frozen food safety and prevent food-borne illnesses. As a general rule, if you are unsure about the safety of your stored foods because you don’t remember if it has been frozen properly or how long it is stored in your freezer – remember, WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT!

(BLVMEstrella)

Sources:

https://hygienefoodsafety.org/freezing-foods/
https://www.safefood.net/food-storage/freezing
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/freezing-and-food-safety/CT_Index
https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/multimedia/multimedia_pub/multimedia_pub_fsf_109_01.html