However, frozen foods heavily affected by freezer burn should be thrown away for quality purposes. Though unsightly, freezer burn on foods is not dangerous and is considered safe to eat. Fill plastic containers with water and place them in the freezer to keep the freezer’s temperature stable.Store frozen foods in air-tight containers or use vacuum packaging.This will cause a change in the freezer’s temperature. Avoid placing hot food directly into the freezer.Fluctuating temperatures will increase the risk of freezer burn. Check your freezer’s temperature and make sure it is set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.The longer a food stays in the freezer, the higher the risk of freezer burn. Do not store foods in the freezer for extended periods of time.Use sealable plastic bags and double-wrap your frozen food to prevent water molecules from escaping. Make sure that your food is tightly sealed and wrapped.If the mere sight of freezer burn is enough to compel you to throw out an entire steak or chicken, there are precautionary measures you can take to prevent it: However, you can still consume the entire serving, including the freezer burned areas, but the quality of food will be affected since you’re basically eating dry meat. Often times, only a certain portion of the food suffers from freezer burn, depending on the packaging, and these portions can be removed and discarded. Many people tend to throw out entire packages of frozen food upon the mere sight of discoloration believing that the meat has gone bad or spoiled however, this is not the case. Is Freezer Burn Safe to Eat?Īlthough the appearance might make you think otherwise, foods that have suffered freezer burn are, in fact, safe to eat. Freezer burn is the end result of frozen food that has lost all of its water molecules. The longer you keep food in the freezer, the more molecules will transfer from the foods to the colder area of the freezer. Food dehydration occurs when these water molecules move to the coldest area of the freezer, which is typically the sides or the back of your freezer just check the portion of your freezer that seems to be accumulating the most ice or ice crystals. When foods are kept in the freezer, the water molecules within them begin to form ice crystals. This means that cooked foods that are stored in the freezer have a higher chance of being affected by freezer burn, and should not be stored as long as their raw counterparts. According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), food that is constantly stored at 0 degrees Fahrenheit is considered safe, though the quality may suffer depending on the duration of freezer storage.įreezing raw meat and poultry is more effective for maintaining quality than storing cooked versions, since the cooking process can cause the meat and poultry to lose moisture. Properly freezing your food can help prevent bacteria and microorganisms from spoiling the food, which can lead to sickness if eaten. The purpose of freezing foods is for preserving them for extended periods of time. The discoloration indicates that the frozen food has suffered damage caused by dehydration and oxidation. A freezer burn takes on the appearance of discoloration, causing red meat to turn grayish brown, or chicken to become darker. “Freezer burn” occurs when a food that has been left in the freezer loses its moisture. Why does meat change color and texture after being in the freezer for a long period of time? Many people have seen it on their frozen foods, but not many know that it has an actual name. You’ve probably wondered the same thing I have: is it safe to eat chicken with freezer burn? Is it dangerous to freeze chicken if there are dark spots where the meat is dry? If it’s not dangerous, then how long will freezer burned chicken remain edible? When does freezer burn become unsafe to eat? Chicken freezer burn safe to eat? What is Freezer Burn?
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