Freezing and
storing
Store the frozen
produce
CAUTION
Do not refreeze frozen food which
is thawing or which has thawed.
Boil or fry the food before
refreezing it.
No longer store the frozen
produce for the max. storage
period.
When purchasing deep-frozen food,
comply with the following:
– Check whether the packaging is
damaged.
– Check the sell-by date.
– The temperature of the super-
market freezer must be lower
than 0 °F (–18 °C). If not, the
storage life of the food is reduced.
– Purchase deep-frozen food last.
Wrap in newspaper or place in
a cold bag and take home.
– At home immediately place deep-
frozen food in the freezer
compartment. Use the deep-
frozen food before the sell-by
date runs out.
Freezing food yourself
Freeze fresh, undamaged food only.
To prevent food from losing its
flavour or drying out, place in airtight
containers. Food should be frozen
solid as quickly as possible.
How to wrap food
correctly
Place the food in the wrapping.
Press out all the air.
Seal the wrapping.
Label the wrapping with the
contents and date.
The following products are not
suitable for wrapping food:
Wrapping paper, greaseproof paper,
cellophane, refuse bags and used
shopping bags.
The following products are
suitable for wrapping food:
Plastic film, polyethylene blown film,
aluminium foil and freezer tins. These
products can be purchased from
your dealer.
The following products are
suitable for sealing the wrapped
food:
Rubber bands, plastic clips, string,
cold-resistant adhesive tape or
similar.
Bags and polyethylene blown
film can be sealed with a film
sealer.
Thawing the frozen
food
Depending on the type and purpose
of the food, thaw:
– at room temperature,
– in the refrigerator,
– in an electric oven, with/without
hot air fan,
– in the microwave oven.
Foods
Storage Time
Butter
6 to 9 months
Milk, Cream
Not
Cottage cheese
recommended
Cream cheese
Hard cheese
4 to 6 months
Eggs
fresh, in shell
Do not freeze!
Raw yolks and whites 6 to 9 months
Mayonnaise
Do not freeze!
Summer sausage
opened
1 to 2 months
unopened
1 to 2 months
Bacon
1 month
Luncheon meat
1 to 2 months
Vacuum-packed
3 to 4 months
diners, unopened
Corned beef
1 month
(drained)
Beef, Veal, Lamb,
Pork
fresh
4 to 12 months
cooked
2 to 3 months
Poultry
fresh
9 to 12 months
cooked
4 to 6 months
Vegetables
Asparagus
8 to 10 months
Broccoli, green peas,
lima beans, cauliflower
Carrots,, beets and
turnips, lettuce
Onions, peppers
Fruits
Apples
8 months
(cooked)
Apricots, berries,
6 months
cherries
Grapes
1 month
(whole)
Pineapples, cut
6 to 12 months
Source: United States Department
of Agriculture, FSIS
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