The freezer is a household appliance which allows us to preserve food for a long time and save on waste and expenses. Thanks to its action it allows, in fact, to stop the decay of food. These will thus remain fresh for long months. However, it is equally important to know by when to eat thawed food to avoid nasty surprises.
Beware of bacteria
Many wonder why it is so important to respect certain rules when it comes to the freezer.
We all know that defrosted foods should not be refrozen. But some miss why. Freezing, in fact, stops the bacterial proliferation that occurs naturally in food. However, when we remove a food from the freezer it starts again.
Putting a product back into the freezer can therefore be a great risk. And this is because new potentially dangerous bacteria have now been born. This is especially true when the product has been out of the freezer for several hours. The proliferation of bacteria is also the basis of the risks we run if we eat foods that are defrosted too late.
By when to eat defrosted food to avoid nasty surprises
In general, the general rule is to eat immediately the food that we have defrosted. In this way we will be sure not to run into in nasty surprises and intoxications.
Furthermore, some foods are more dangerous than others. Bad meat can even lead to salmonella and gastroenteritis. As explained by the Food Education Italy advisor, we may need antibiotics to combat its effects. It is therefore important not to consume a dog that has been defrosted for more than two or three days.
The defrosting method is also crucial. The best is the one in the fridge, which will continue to slow down, but not stop, the growth of bacteria. Instead, it is necessary to avoid defrosting products in too hot places.
Finally, to understand if a food has gone bad or is still edible, finally, we must use our senses. A throwaway food will stink, have an unusual appearance and a noticeable change in color.
