Why can't you thaw meat at room temperature? I do. Will it do anything to me or my kids?
Frozen meats should never be defrosted at room temperature. When foods are defrosted at room temperature the surface of the food can quickly warm up above 4C/40F. If held above this temperature for more than two hours, the potential for harmful microorganisms or their toxins to multiply increases, which can lead to foodborne illness when consumed. Those at highest risk for foodborne illness include infants and young children, pregnant woman, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
What's the best way to thaw meat? My boyfriend thawed some pork and steak in the microwave 3 days ago -- good idea or bad?
The safest way to thaw meat is in a refrigerator. When defrosting by microwave, food often starts to cook, creating warm spots where bacteria could potentially grow. It is therefore recommended that food defrosted in a microwave be cooked immediately. It can then be consumed or stored in the fridge for later use.
My wife thawed a quantity of ground beef, made spaghetti sauce, and the rest she made into hamburgers and refroze them. Are they safe to eat?
It is not recommended to completely thaw meat and then refreeze it; the quality of the product may be affected. The best recommendation is to completely cook the meat and then freeze.
I defrosted my chest freezer. Then, I put all the still frozen food back. It was 3/4 full. Unfortunately, I forgot to switch the freezer back on. What, if any, foods are safe to refreeze; or should I throw it all out?
How frustrating to find the freezer not on! In determining what to keep and what to throw out, I am concerned that you didn't check all the food before you turned the freezer back on and the freezer was warm, acting more like a cooler then a freezer. In general discard all food that thawed completely and was held at temperatures warmer that 40F (4C) for more than two hours. Again, this may be difficult to determine if you do not know how warm the freezer got while it was off.
However, here are some guidelines to help determine what you should keep and what to throw away but remember, “If in doubt, throw it out!”
- Do not refreeze highly perishable foods such as fish, seafood, melted ice cream, cream pies or custard fill pastries.
- Meat can be refrozen if it feels firm, contains ice crystals or is partially frozen. Rigid containers have to be opened and inspected for adequate ice crystals.
- If meat packages look like meat juices have leaked through - discard. Discard any foods that have been contaminated by raw meat juices from other packages.
- Refreeze vegetables only if they have plenty of ice crystals present.
- Strong acid fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries plus uncooked fruit pies, unfrosted cakes, bread and rolls, may be frozen.
Grandma keeps her water bottles and then uses them over.... is it okay to keep re-freezing your water in the bottle?
If your grandma is reusing plastic bottles which contained bottled water there may be some concern about chemicals leaching. Most bottled water bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and are approved for single use only. The long term safety of these bottles has not been established. But the greatest concern may be from bacteria re-growth as they are hard to clean. If you do reuse them, wash with detergent, rinse with clean water and then clean by pouring hot water into the bottles. Thoroughly dry between uses. For further information on bottled water read, CFIA Fact Sheet: Food Safety Facts on Bottled Water;Health Canada: Questions and Answers on Bottled Water.
How many times can I cook and refreeze leftover pasta sauce? The sauce includes beef and pork. The sauce was cooked, then frozen, defrosted, then cooked again. Can I refreeze leftovers one more time?
Refreezing leftovers more than one time is not a safe practice. Your leftover pasta sauce should be frozen and reheated only once. The key is to freeze in several small portions rather than one large batch and take out only what you need. When you do reheat the frozen sauce, be sure to bring it to a boil before serving.
I made homemade chicken stock about two months ago and froze it. At the beginning of this week, I made a delicious tortilla soup with the frozen stock. Do I have to use all the soup now or can I re-freeze it, even though the base has already been previously frozen?
If the stock was handled correctly i.e., thawed in the refrigerator, not left out at room temperature for long periods of time, using it in a soup and refreezing the soup is fine. Once made, the soup requires refrigeration and should not be stored longer than 2 to 3 days. I recommend freezing in batch or meal sizes, thawing the soup in the refrigerator and reheating only once to a piping hot temperature of 74C (165F). The soup can be stored in the freezer for 4 months.
Can I refreeze melted ice cream? Is it safe to eat ice cream after it has melted and then been refrozen?
No, it is not recommended to eat thawed ice cream. Ice cream is a perishable food product that needs to be kept frozen. If it was left at room temperature for longer than two hours and/or thawed in a freezer that lost power it may have spoiled and/or may harbour microorganisms that cause foodborne illness. Also the taste and texture of the ice cream after refreezing may not be palatable.
How long can I store food in the fridge and then freeze it?
Look at Mrs. Cookwell’s handy refrigerator and freezer storage chart, food items should be in the fridge no longer then the recommended storage time before freezing.
I received a gift of a 7lb can of cherry pie filling and some hot fudge chocolate. Can I freeze them after opening the cans? What is the best way to do it, and how long can I use it for?
To safely freeze the remaining cherry pie filling package in recipe size containers. Seal, date, freeze, and use within 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and use immediately. The chocolate sauce once opened can be stored in the refrigerator in a new, clean container up to 6 months. Do not store the sauce in the original can. Long term storage can be obtained by freezing but the thawed product may separate or become grainy upon thawing. Separation may also occur with the pie filling.
How long can food stay in the freezer?
Look at Mrs. Cookwell’s handy refrigerator and freezer storage chart.
Can I freeze fruits, vegetables, eggs, and dairy products?
Fruits and vegetables: Visit: Canadian Produce Marketing Association. In the 'Consumer' section, check out 'Home Freezing Guide' for fruits and vegetables.
Dairy Products: (Butter, Cheese, Yogurt, Milk, Cream, Ice Cream). Visit: Dairy Farmers of Canada. Go to ‘Our Products’ and click on the product you are interested in. You will find storage information for that product in the section called, ‘How to enjoy it’.
Eggs Visit: Canadian Egg Marketing Agency. Go to Egg Facts section and then, "Egg Handling at Home"
Does freezer burn on a chicken that's been in the freezer for a month, mean it's unsafe to cook?
The chicken is safe to eat, but the areas with freezer burn will be dried out and tasteless and can be trimmed away, if desired. Your freezer burn has occured because the chicken was not freezer wrapped and sealed properly.
- Mayonnaise is not sterilized. Why doesn't it spoil during storage at room temperature before the jar is opened?
- The food manufacturer may use several ways to prevent spoilage. These may include: processing and addition of an acid or a preservative.
- My husband and I disagree about this so please help us...does mayonnaise and salad dressing (miracle whip) need to be refrigerated after opening? If so, why? Also what about soy sauce and ketchup? Should they also be refrigerated after opening? Thank you.
- Microorganisms that are responsible for food spoilage and foodborne illness do not have taste buds and will use almost any source of food to grow. Mayonnaise products require refrigeration once opened; salad dressing also requires refrigeration unless otherwise stated on the label. Ketchup once opened may be left at room temperature but the product can only remain open for 1 month; if stored in the refrigerator it can remain open for 6 months. Refer to the bottle of soy sauce for proper storage conditions once opened.
- Hi! Can I cook a 4 kg piece of meat completely frozen? If not, why? Thanks!
- You could cook the meat from frozen but for best results, it is best to thaw in the refrigerator or in the microwave oven. If cooking from frozen, it will be difficult to determine how long the roast will take to cook properly. As always, the best way to ensure that the meat is cooked thoroughly is to check with a thermometer. Check the charts on my website to determine the recommended internal temperature for doneness.
- I have a package of unopened vaccum-packed smoked salmon that has an expiry date of Aug 2005 in the fridge. Since it's smoked is it still not safe to eat?
- I would discard the salmon. The product should be consumed before the best before date.
- I cooked spaghetti sauce 2 days ago and have left it in the bottom of fridge,how long before it's bad????
- It depends. However, I woud recommend to use that sauce within 2 days after preparing it or if you want to extended its shelf like put it in the freezer. It should keep then for 2 to 3 months.
- How long can blueberries, strawberries and raspberries be frozen? Thank you
- Recommended storage time for berries is 4 to 6 months.
- How long will fresh battered fish stay good in the freezer?
- Fresh battered fish would stay good for up to six months in the freezer.
- why is it unsafe to re freeze defrosted food?
- It depends! If the food has been thawed in the refrigerator and still shows some ice crystals or is very cold to the touch, you may refreeze it. There might be a loss of quality once you thawed it again. If the food has been thawed by any other means (cold water, microwaves, longer period of time in the refrigerator, etc.), it is preferable to cook it thoroughly before refreezing it or serve it right away.
- if i bought fresh fish at the market and it was wrapped in plastic and paper and it went straight into my fridge, is it ok to leave it in that same plastic until the next day, and then cook?
- As long as the fish is well wrapped and not dripping on other food, the wrapper is fine. And yes, make sure that you cook it by the next day.
- How can I thaw prepared pasta dishes such as lasagna?
- The best way to thaw pasta dishes is in the refrigerator. You can leave them there until they are completely thawed without risking to forget them at room temperature overnight for exemple or more than 2 hours.. If you want them thawed faster, you can soak them in cold water in the kitchen sink and cahange water every 45 minutes. Refrigerate after. If you use the microwave oven to thaw your dish, you will have to cook them and serve them immediately or refrigerate them as soon as possible.
- Can Spaghetti Pie, a casserole with eggs be frozen?
- Yes, if the eggs have been mixed in with the other ingredients, it will be okay to freeze the spaghetti pie.
- Hi! Can we cook and prepare frozen foods, refreeze them and then thaw them again, warm them to be able to consume them?
- In general, yes you can cook food that has been frozen and then freeze that cooked food. And remember, always thaw food in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly. Check out the fact sheets in my web site for information on temperature for safe doneness.
- The hydro company told us that power will be shut down between midnight and 6h30 am Tuesday June 13. I have a lot of frozen fishes (salmon fillets). If I leave them in the freezer part of the refrigerator, would it have time to thaw?
- The fish should remain frozen in the fridge's freezer compartment for those 6 to 7 hours. Keep the door shut and make sure the fish is in the centre of the freezer, not close to the door.
- Can I freeze some chicken broth in plastic containers that used to contain yogurt? Thanks
- Yes, the yogurt container can be used to freeze your chicken broth.
- Hi! What are exactly the risks to consume food that have been thawed and frozen again? How bad can we get sick?
- If the food has been thawed in the refrigerator and is refrozen within several days of thawing, it is safe to refreeze. There may loss of quality in the texture of the food. However, if the food has been defrosted by the cold water method or in the microwave, it is best to cook the food before refreezing.
Food must be kept at a safe temperature while it is being thawed. Foods are safe indefinitely while frozen. However, as soon as food begins to defrost and become warmer than 40 °F, any bacteria that may have been present before freezing can begin to multiply. That is why it is best to thaw food in the fridge and not on the counter. Even though the center of the package may still be frozen as it thaws on the counter, the outer layer of the food is in the "Danger Zone," between 40 and 140 °F – at temperatures where bacteria multiply rapidly.
- I left for the weekend & my Freezer door had been left open a crack... upon arrival all ice was melted & food thawed, but still cold - can I refreeze any items?
- If the food was completely thawed, I recommend discarding it. If it contained ice crystals, you could refreeze. The important thing to know is whether the temperature in the freezer reached higher temperature than 4ºC (refrigeration temperature). If it did and the food was in the danger zone temperature for more than two hours, it could be unsafe to consume. Even if the food felt cool but was completely thawed, I would be concerned about the safety. When in doubt, throw it out.
- I have cod that I bought from the store, it was in the freezer. I took it out and put in the fridge on Monday. It is Friday. Is it still good?
- You have left the cod too long in the refrigerator. It should have been cooked within 2 to 3 days of thawing.
- How long do you have once you have thawed something in the fridge before you cook it?
- First, thawing food in the refrigerator is the best way! It depends on the food, just how quickly you may have to cook it. Preferable it would be cooked as soon as possible once it is thawed. However, check out the storage chart on my website to provide a guideline of storage for a variety of foods.
- Hello: I partially defrosted a chicken for a few hours at room temperature maybe 30% thawed and then put it back in the fridge. However my refrigerator must have been too high and the chicken froze again. Is it safe to thaw this chicken and cook it? Thank you.
- I would recommend not to eat the chicken. It is not a safe procedure to thaw the chicken at room temperature. Thaw perishable foods such as chicken in the refrigerator.
- My question is: How can I freeze strawberries so that there is no water accumulation when I thaw them? Once frozen and thawed, there is always water in the container. Thanks!
- Yes, and there will always be water, juice or sugar syrup in the container. When strawberries are frozen, the moisture in the berries freeze into crystals which slightly damages the berries releasing more liquid.
- Can you refreeze strawberries after they are thawed?
- If the strawberries have been thawed in the fridge, they can be refrozen but there will be changes in texture and favour. Discard if there are any signs of spoilage.
- My chocolate biscuits have melted. Is it safe to put them in the fridge and then eat them?
- Yes, unless they have been handled before or during storage, your chocolate biscuits will be safe to store in the refrigerator.
- I thawed ground beef, used some and refroze the rest....Is it safe to use the refrozen meat? Thank you
- If the ground beef has been thawed in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze part of it one time. Next time, divide your fresh beef in single use portions before freezing.
- How can I freeze blueberries?
- Blueberries are very easy to freeze. Simply sort through them to remove leaves, stems and immature or defective berries. Pack into containers, leaving 1 cm/1/2 inch headspace and freeze. Berries can also be frozen on a tray then packed into containers. Wash the berries before using.
- On principle : after cooking a frozen raw rabbit, is there a risk of freezing the leftover (roasted rabbit) cooked for approximately 2 hours? Thanks!
- It should be safe to freeze your leftover roasted rabbit if it was roasted to a safe temperature, the meat removed from the bones and refrigerated within one hour (two hours in the winter) of removing from the oven.
- Can I freeze a pizza bought at a pizza parlour and if not, how long would it keep?
- Yes you can freeze a take-out pizza as long as it is frozen within two hours. Pizza can be kept in the fridge as long as three days.
- How can we preserve green beans in the freezer?
- Wash beans in cold water; blanch in boiling water 3 minutes. Cool quickly; drain and package leaving 1 cm/1/2 in head space. Seal and freeze.
- How much time do I need to allow lasagna to defrost?
- I recommend putting the lasagne in the refrigerator the night before you are ready to cook it.
- Hi, My refigerator accidently froze some fresh beets and broccoli, is it ok to cook and eat them? Thank you!
- Yes, it is safe to consume the vegetables. You may find that they will not be as crisp or firm. Use as soon as possible.
- We have pork tenderloin that has been frozen for 2 years. Would it be hazardous to eat it and would it be good to the taste?
- Properly wrapped pork tenderloin should be stored in the freezer for no longer than one year. After that there would be loss of quality including taste but it would not be hazardous.
- My husband insists that it is OK to eat "left over" pizza in the morning, even though he left it sit in the box all night. I used to put it in the fridge for him, but I've given up now. He refuses to eat it once it has been in the fridge. This CAN'T be safe, can it?
- I say that your husband eats the leftover pizza, left out overnight, at his own risk. I recommend that no one else should eat it. I can only suggest that you provide him with the information about the two hour rule, found on my web site, and the risk of foodbourne illness if he continues to consume food that has been left out in the danger zone temperature for more than two hours.
- Can I still freeze fresh salmon that has been in the refrigerator for 3 days?
- Fresh fish like salmon that is kept in the refrigerator should be consumed in three to four days. In your case, it would be safe to put it in the freezer as long as the salmon has been kept refrigerated at all time.
- My wife thawed some chicken at room temperature, then cut into pieces and refroze again. Is it safe to eat
- No, it is not safe to eat. When chicken is thawed at room temperature, there is a high risk that it will be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
- How many months can I keep my meat in the freezer? Meat parts cut by a wholesaler and made of roasts, rhumsteaks, beef ribs, ground meat. The wholesaler says for 12 months. Is this true? Waiting for your answer. Thanks!
- The recommended storage time for meat in the freezer depends on the size of the cut.
For example roasts and whole chickens and turkey can be stored for 12 months. For smaller cuts such as chops and steaks, 8 to 10 months is recommended. The storage time for chicken parts is 6 months. For ground meats, the recommended storage time is 3 months.
- I have made plum jams and pour them into Mason jars without sterilizing them. Can I put those jars in the freezer?
- The jars may break when put in the freezer, especially if there is not enough "head space" left in the jar. A better alternative would be to store the jam in the refrigerator.
- When I freeze commercial pizza how do I wrap it, in what kind of material?
- To freeze a commercial pizza, package air tight in a freezer bag or freezer wrap.
- I have a whole smoked turkey in my freezer. How long can it be kept in the freezer before going bad
- If the smoked turkey is uncooked, it can be stored 12 to 14 months without loss of quality.
- I have a very cold refrigerator that sometimes freezes food. I store uncooked legumes in there.I was without power for almost 24 hours. Are the dried beans safe to cook?
- You do not mention in what conditions your dried beans were before the power outage; refrigerated or frozen? If they were refrigerated at the time of the power failure, I would not recommend to consume them. Refrigerator that are not operating for more than six hours represents a hazard for the refrigerated food it contains. Perishable foods should be thrown out. If the beans were frozen and at the time the power came back, they were still frozen, had ice crystals ino them or felt very cold to the touch, then they would be safe to use.
- Hi! I know for a fact that the content of a freezer from which we are not sure if there were ice crystals left in the meat after several days of thawing would not allow us to think that the meat is fine to eat. However are there any cooking means or any length of cooking time that could kill those bacteria supposedly present? That freezer contains a lot of meat and we hope to salvage it. Thanks.
- No there is not any means or length of cooking time that would make the meat absolutely safe. Some of the bacteria which may be present produce heat resistant toxins. So even if you cook the meat to death to kill all the bactéria, toxins will still be present and would make you sick. And this is beside the fact that the meat will lose its quality rapidly by chemical changes especially in the fat.
- Just finished smoking 3 wild salmons Aug 31. They are now air drying to cool. Can I shrink wrap them for storage and keep refrigerated, or should they be frozen for storage.
- If you are preparing fish jerky, and it is dry and tough, it can be refrigerated in an airtight container for three months or frozen for 6 months.
- My freezer door was left ajar and my frozen fruit pies of strawberry, blueberry, peach, cherrys all thawed. Can they safely be refrozen? The pastry has egg in the ingredients for the dough. Is that safe to refreeze?
- As long as the temperature of the pies stayed within refrigeration temperature (40ºF/4ºC), it will be safe to refreeze the pies.
- Can I freeze a dish prepared with previously blast-frozen vegetables?
- Yes, you can refreeze leftovers made with blast-frozen vegetables. But, first divide into single use containers.The vegetables may lose some quality.
- I cooked chicken breasts and froze them. Then later, I thawed the breasts to use them in the preparation of a casserole which was cooked at 190C in the oven for 30 minutes. My question is: is it safe to freeze the casserole?
- If the cooked chicken breasts were thawed in the refrigerator, it would be safe to freeze the casserole. But first divide it into single use containers because it would not be safe to defrost it and then freeze the leftovers.
- I am wondering if I can refreeze vaccuum packed steaks after they have been thawed in cold water. We were supposed to be having dinner guests but plans fell through and now we are left with a lot of very pricey meat that we could never eat ourselves. The meat was fully thawed but still cold as we kept the water temp cold that it was thawing in.
- If you have kept the steaks refrigerated and the time they have been thawed is not longer than two days, they may be refrozen.
- Is it safe to freeze a casserole that contains previously cooked and frozen chicken? The chicken was cooked and frozen a month ago, thawed in a microwave last night, then combined in the casserole and baked at 350 F for 40 minutes. Is it safe to freeze the casserole leftovers?
- Yes, it would be safe to freeze the casserole leftovers. But first divide it into single use containers because it would not be safe to defrost the leftovers and then refreeze them again.
- How long can I keep a large lasagna in the freezer?
- For maximum quality and safety. store your lasagna in the freezer no longer than three months.
- Can we freeze ham? If so, how long would it still be good?
- Ham does not keep its quality for very long in the freezer as the flavour and texture change. Seal tightly in freezer packaging and store for no longer than 2 months in the freezer.
- I bought a frozen Stouffer's lasagna and put it in the fridge to thaw. How long is it really safe to keep in the fridge before cooking?
- I recommend that you cook the lasagne within 2 to 3 days of thawing.
- My friend canned some salmon with a pressure cooker a few years ago. How long can I keep the salmon for and what will it look like or smell like if it has spoiled. she has had some for over 10 years is that too long? thanks
- Hopefully the salmon was processed in a pressure "canner" and not a cooker. Recommended storage time for home canned foods is 12 months. 10 years is too long, the salmon should be discarded. Even if processed properly, over time the food will deteriorate in flavour, texture and colour.
Ensure that the salmon has been properly processed, the cans are in good shape (no lids that pop in and out). If it hasn't been done correctly do not attempt to eat is as there may be no visible signs of spoilage or foodbourne pathogens.
- After a 3 days power failure, I refroze foods (meats, game meat pâtés, vegetables) that were not completely thawed. Can I eat them without any problem or should I throw them way?
- If the foods that you refroze were only partially thawed and still contained ice crystals, you could safely refreeze them. The key is to know whether your freezer temperature reached temperatures above 4ºC (refrigeration temperature) during the period of time of the power failure. If any food was thawed and in the danger zone temperature for more than two hours, discard it. And always, when in doubt, throw it out.
- Hi! I did not properly closed my freezer door for several hours . When I closed it back, all foods where still frozen (between 0 and -18). Can I eat those foods? Thanks!
- As long as the foods remained frozen and had not thawed, they will be safe to eat.
- Is it safe to re-fill water bottles, freeze them, then drink the thawed water?
- There are a 2 things to consider when refreezing water. First make sure the container is meant to be re-used. The containers for bottled water are meant to be recycled but not re-used over and over. Second, make sure that you thoroughly clean the bottle before it is refilled with water and frozen.
- I have a raw whole chicken that's been in my freezer for over a year. Is it still safe to eat?
- The chicken will be safe to cook. Over time food in the freezer will lose quality. The meat dries out and the fat becomes rancid.
- I have a pork tenderloin 6.33lbs. I need to defrost it in the microwave. What manual or auto setting do I use and for how long?
- It is best to check with the manual that came with the microwave oven to know the best setting for thawing meat in your microwave oven. If you don't have a manual, go to the website of the manufacturer for directions.
If you plan to defrost meat in the microwave, make sure you cook the meat right away.
- Hi! My cousin thaws some meats at room temperature and he tells me that there is nothing wrong to refreeze it without cooking it. Can you tell me all the risks associated with this practice. Thanks!
- The safest way to defrost meat is in the refrigerator. In this way not part of the meat will have reached a temperature above 4ºC. Above this temperature, bacteria can grow quickly and therefore potentially cause foodborne illness. If the meat has been in the refrigerator while thawing and still has ice crystals then it can be refrozen. However, if the meat was thawed out of the fridge or in the microwave. do not refreeze.
The safest thing to do is cook the thawed meat and freeze.
- Hi! We are preparing soup for 30 days. It is made of lentils, chick peas, tomatoes, herbs such as coriander, parsley, etc., one egg and sometimes flour to thicken it. I would like to know if after cooking it in such a large quantity, I can freeze it in small containers so I would not loose it. If so, once thaw, I intend to add flour to thicken it as needed. How long would it keep in the freezer? Thanks!
- Yeah! I am so glad that you are freezing the soup in smaller containers. The recommended storage in the freezer for prepared foods such as your soup is 3 months.
- How long can we wait before cooking a thawed prepared dish?
- The prepared food should be cooked as soon as it is thawed.
- I had a carton of eggs in my refrigerator that froze. Is it safe to use them? Thanks!
- The eggs are safe to use. But use them as soon as possible, especially those eggs that have cracked. Use the eggs in dishes where the eggs will be thoroughly cooked. Since the yolk may become tough when frozen, it is best to cook as scramble eggs, not fried or hardcooked.
- We purchased a 4 H beef 2 years ago and put it in the freezer. We still have about a third of it left--can it safely be cooked??
- The meat will still be safe to consume but you may find that the quality of the meat is not as good. Over time, the meat will dry out and the fat will go rancid.
- Can I freeze a soup made of shrimps that were frozen before and thawed to prepare the soup? I am wondering if I can do that?
- As long as you thawed the shrimp in the refrigerator, it will be fine to use them in the soup.
- Can we and is it hazardous to vaccum packed thawed meat and have a "best before date" of approximately 3 weeks?
- I would not recommend storing the meat in the refrigerator for 3 weeks. It is better to cook the meat and then vacuum pack for storage in the freezer if don't plan to consume the cooked meat within 3 to 4 days.
- If a veggie soup was left out for a day, can I eat it? I mean, if I boil it it shouldn't be a problem, right?
- Do not consume the soup. Since the soup has been left at room temperature for much longer than two hours, boiling may not kill all the bacteria that have multiplied or any toxins those bacteria may have developed. Please discard the soup.
- On many occasions, I receive fresh vegetables from the garden that I freeze for several months. I thaw them to prepare a 5 liter soup. I eat part of it and freeze the leftovers in water bottles to eventually eat it within the next month. Is this hazardous? I give some on a regular basis to my 86 year old father from my own reserve. Thanks!
- It is a great idea to prepare the soup and then freeze in smaller containers to serve later. However, plastic water bottles are not meant to be re-used in this way. The bottles can be recycled. Other plastic containers that you can use would be those used for cottage cheese, yoghurt or margerine. And, of course, any of the ones that you can buy from the grocery store that are labelled for use in the freezer.
- I cooked salmon tonight Wed, and was wondering if it was ok to eat from fridg on Fri?
- Yes, you can eat on Friday. As my storage chart on the website indicates. Cooked fish can be store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. - or 4 to 6 months in the freezer.
- Mrs. Cookwell, I would like to know the shelf life of home canned salmon. I have some jars dating back to 1997 and am wondering if they are ok? I cooked a casserole the other day and found myself not feeling well afterwards so was wondering if perhaps it might have been the salmon. Thank you!
- The recommended storage time for home canned food is 12 months. I recommend that you do not eat anymore of the salmon that was canned in 1997. That is too long to store a product like canned meat or fish. Over time food will decay regardless of how well it was processed. And, if the salmon was prepared almost 10 years ago, do you know how it was processed?
- made seafood bisque- at 12:00 am waited until 8 am to refrigerate. it is home made- still warm when put in fridge. is it safe to eat if boiled
- No! Your soup has been in the danger zone temperature for more than two hours. Do not consume and boiling it again wil not save it. In the future, it is best to divide the soup into smaller, shallow containers and get it into the fridge right away.
- Can we freeze cheese (edam or cantal)? If so, how long can we keep it?
- You can freeze most kinds of cheese but you may find the texture may be slightly altered. However, their taste will not be affected. Wrap well in aluminum foil. Place them in freezer bags and remove the air.
Before freezing, allow them to cool in the refrigerator. It is also preferable to let the cheese thaw in the refrigerator to allow it to regain the humidity lost when frozen.
- How long can you keep frozen bagged shrimp in freezer
- If the shrimp is raw and unshelled, or cooked and unshelled recommended storage time is 2 months. For raw, shelled shrimp, the recommended storage time is 3 months.
- Can we prepared a sea food dish with frozen products and refreeze them after?
- Yes, you can freeze the casserole once it has been cooked. Recommended storage time in the freezer would be 3 months.
- I bought some frozen puff pastry, which was susequently thawed completely. Can I refreeze the pastry or is this unsafe?
- If the puff pastry thawed because it was left out on the counter, I recommended discarding it. If it thawed in the refrigerator, you could refreeze the pastry but you will find the quality will not be as good.
- We cooked a pot roast in the slow cooker and refrigerated it promptly after dinner. The next day, we were leaving for a trip so I put the beef with the drippings in a freezer container and put it in the freezer so it wouldn't spoil while we were gone. A week later, I took it out of the freezer and made it into a casserole. We won't be able to eat all the casserole within a few days. Is it safe to freeze the casserole made out of leftover, previously frozen beef?
- Yes, you can freeze the casserole and it would be a good idea to freeze it in smaller amounts, just what you will use for one meal.
- Hi! How long can we keep cooked salmon (in the oven) in the refrigerator?
Thanks!
- Once cooked, the salmon can be treated as a leftover and stored for 2 to 3 days.
- I have purchased a vacuum-packed cooked dish that I have out in the freezer. How long can I keep it once it is thawed in the refrigerator in its original packaging?
- I suggest that once the dish has been thawed that you consume it within 5 to 7 days. Sooner, if you remove it from the vacuum package.
- How long can we keep in the refrigerator a frozen dish that has been previously thawed. Thanks!
- The recommended storage time for cooked foods in the refrigerator is 3 to 4 days after being thawed in the refrigerator.
- Hi! Can I freeze some pâtés (pies) as well as some fresh cold cuts that I purchased in too large quantities for a recipe that I had? Thanks!
- Yes, you can freeze both the raw pastry dough and the cold cuts. Recommended storage time would be 3 months. Use packaging that is recommended for the freezer.
- I bought some stuffed Salmon from the grocery store. It says on the package, best bought by, and the date. There is no best used by. Is it still good if that best bought by date was over 5 days ago? it has stayed in the fridge. Please let me know!!
- The stuffed salmon should be cooked as soon as possible after purchase. Fish is a very perishable produce and will not be safe to consume if it has been stored for over 5 days.
- I MADE CHILi (BEANS AND HAMBURGER AND TOMATOES) IN A 8 QUART STAINLESS STEEL POT CAN I FREEZE IT IN THE POT ? I WILL BE USING IT IN 5 DAYS
- Do not freeze it in the pot as it will take too long to cool and freeze. Divide the chili into smaller containers for the freezer. Thaw the chili in the fridge. It will take about a day to thaw.
- My son just gave me a package of venison hamburger he said it had been frozen but he thawed it out to refreeze it. He said that he read it in a book. He told me that it said it takes any bacteria that might be in it out. I wonder can this be true?
- Unfortunately, freezing does not remove bacteria from food. It does make the bacteria dormant so it does not grow and multiply. However, everytime that you thaw the meat, you increase the temperature of the meat so that the bacteria can become active.
Cooking to a high temperature, around 170ºF (77ºC) is the only process that will kill the bacteria.
- How can I freeze raw shrimps, cooked shrimps and freshly harvested?
- Shrimp may be frozen raw or cooked, in or out of the shell. For best quality, freeze raw with heads removed but shells still on. They may also be frozen in water in a freezer container. If frozen raw, wash and drain. Quickly chill cooked shrimp before freezing. Package in freezer containers, leaving 6 mm/1/4 inch headspace. Seal and freeze.
- Hi! I have a chicken purchased, wrapped and frozen close to 2 years now. Can we still eat it or is there any risks? What is the maximum time to keep ii in the freezer?
- According to storage charts a whole chicken can be stored in the freezer for one year. Chicken parts can be stored for 6 months. This is for best quality of the chicken. It will be safe to consume beyond that storage time but you may find the quality of the meat will be less. The meat will become dry and the fat can go rancid.
- I bought frozen bagged shrimp on Saturday, boiled it without thawing, and put what was left in the refrigerator. Today is Monday, is it safe to eat?
- Recommended time for storing raw or cooked shrimp is 1 to 2 days. So I suggest eating the shrimp as soon as possible
- Hi! Can I freeze some pancake dough?
- Yes, recommended storage time would be 3 months.
- At what temperature should we set the freezer (large model) to keep meat in?
- The recommended temperature for holding frozen food is -18 ºC (0 ºF).
- Had fresh chicken in fridge, but fridge was left open for 3 hours. Will chicken still be ok to cook and eat? It was a very cold day when fridge was left open
- We have to apply the two hour rule. If your chicken was at temperatures above 4 degrees C/40 degrees F (refrigerator temperature) for longer than two hours, it should be discarded.
- Hi! I have browned in the oven a large quantity of Brodie XXX flour to prepare my gravies. I would like to know how to preserve my browned flour and how long would it keep for? Thank you!
- Divide your flour into half cup portions for ease of use (or however much you use each time gravy is made). Store in a cool dark location such as the refrigerator or freezer.
- I removed shrimp from the freezer 2:30pm on Thurs and it is now 8am on Fri. It has been in the refrigerator al night. Can I put this back in the freezer?
- Raw and cooked shrimp are very perishable. Once thawed, refreezing would reduce the quality and safety
- To thaw my prepared foods such as bolognese sauce, pot au feu, kidney sauce, etc... I pull them out of the freezer and put them directly in a pan where the bottom is fill with hot water and I cook them that way. Is it a good idea or not?
- Heating frozen sauces in a double boiler over hot water is safe and prevents the sauces from sticking. But stir to make certain they are heated throughout and use a food thermometer to check that they are reheated to 165F/74C.
- I have a ham and I was wanting to know that it has been 5 years it has never been open it was vaccum packed and never opened. it smells good not bad spots or anything but is it okay to eat
- A canned ham may be stored in the refrigerator for as long as 9 months. After that there will be a gradual loss of quality and food safety issues may develop. Discard your ham.
- Hi! I would like to know how long can I keep my meat in the upper portion of my refrigerator. I do not have a freezer as such. I use the one above the refrigerator. It is small. Is it the same freezing time as of a bigger regular freezer? Thank you! It is nice of you to help us out by giving kitchen advices. That require a lot of your time. It is greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
- There are several things you can do to be sure your freezer is storing foods safely. The temperature should be maintained at -18C/0F or below. Use a refrigerator/freezer thermometer to help you monitor the temperature. When the door is opened, the temperature will vary more than in a separate freezer. But if the correct temperature is maintained, the storage times for meat in my handy storage chart posted on the web site will apply.
- I cooked chicken soup,froze it, defrosted it in the refrigerator and then kept the leftover defrosted soup in the refrigerator for three days. Is it safe to re-freeze the soup? Thanks.
- Once you soup was made, it could be safely stored in the refrigerator for a total of three to four days including before freezing, while defrosting and after defrosting. So it would not be safe to refreeze the soup. Bring soup to a boil before serving.
- Recently my deep freeze which was 3/4 full of all sorts of meat, hamburger, moose, buffalo and deer was unplugged for a while. Some things were completely thawed and other were still cool or partially frozen. I was wondering if the hamburger can be made into jerky and still be safe to eat...
- Jerky made with ground meat is a high risk product and safe handling of the meat is a must. If the ground meat was thawed in the freezer at temperatures above 4 degrees C/40 degrees F it could contain harmful bacteria and should not be used for making jerky.
- Hi! Here is my question. Should we freeze salmon and tuna before vacuum packaging them?
- Freezing is not necessary for food safety before vacuum packaging salmon or tuna. But be careful there is no liquid in the bag, patting the fish dry with paper towels if necessary.
- I bought salmon steaks today and left them in my trunk for 8 hours. I forgot to take them out because I was running around all day. It was between 65 and 70 degrees outside today. Should I discard the salmon?
- You should definitely discard the salmon. When left at temperatures above 40F/4 C for longer than two hours there is a risk that harmful bacteria may have multiplied in the fish.
- I thawed my turkey in the refrigerator since last saturday and it's still in the vacuum package. Is the turkey still ok to cook since it's been in the fridge for a week?
- Once a frozen turkey is thawed, it should be cooked within two days.
- Can I freeze a food that is made with mayonaise? I have a vidalia onion dip and would like to save it for a party I have in a few weeks, but I just don't know if I can freeze it. It also contains swiss cheese. It has already been bake....Thanks!
- Mayonaise tends to separate and become watery when frozen. You could freeze the dip because this is a short length of time. If it does separate and become watery, just stir it to mix in the water.
- I have prepared a cantonese pork made with thawed pork fillets. Can I freeze that cooked dish made with that thawed fillets? Thanks!
- If thawed pork fillets have been cooked and the cooked pork refrigerated within two hours, it is safe to freeze within 3 to 4 days.
- At what temperature should a vertical freezer should be set at? Thank you!
- To safely store food, the temperature in a vertical or chest freezer should be maintained at -18 degrees C ( 0 degree F).
- I would like to know if we can freeze chick peas already cooked after being in the refrigerator for three days? Thanks!
- After being cooked, chick peas can be safely stored in the refrigerator for as long as three days before eating. If frozen on the third day, use as soon as they are defrosted. Reheat quickly to 170F/77C. Never just warm up.
- How long does it take to thaw a frozen bone-in fresh cured ham in the refrigerator?
- The length of time it takes to thaw a frozen bone-in fresh cured ham depends on the temperature of your refrigerator where you thaw it, the weight and shape of the ham and the size of the bone.
- I am hoping for a specific answer to ths, as quickly as possible please. My chest-style freezer in garage was unpluged for 6 days due to elec. work being done. Temp today when freeze was first opened since, was 42 F or 6 C. I have 3 levels in freezer (top, mid, bottom of chest), and had about 60 lbs. of buffalo packaged meat. Reading your refreeze response, sounds like since only bottom of freezer had ANY ice crystals still/hardly, my thought was to refreeze all, but only eventually eat the bottom 2 levels of meat. I would ensure FULL cooking, since I am thinking they stayed cold enough. ??? Should I just throw it ALL out, or can I safely cook it to very well? Most of the meat is burger cuts, if it matters. I want to be sure to do the safe thing, but it kills me to toss - it was all so good. Hoping for a quick and "definitive" safe answer. So is my wife, obviously!
- Unfortunate, a definitive answer can only be given if the meat is tested at a lab. Mrs. Cookwell can provide the guidelines and you must make the decision. Cooking meat which may have increased levels of harmful bacteria does not guarantee that it will be safe. It would depend on how many bacteria there were and if some of the bacteria produced heat resistant toxins. Meat which contained some ice crystals is at lower risk for contamination with harmful bacteria.
- I pureed stewed tomatoes from a can and left them in the refrigerator over night (12 hours). I'm worried they may have fermented. Are they still safe to use to prepare a tomato sauce?
- Yes, the tomatoes will be safe to prepare a tomato sauce. And they should not have fermented.
- Can we eat without any risks game meat (boar) that has been frozen for 18 months?
- The freezer storage time for cuts of game is similar to that for beef. Roasts and steaks can be stored 10 to 12 months, ground meat 2 to 3 months. After that time, there will be loss of quality. But boar cannot be eaten without risks, particularly of parasites and disease.
- Can we freeze cooked shrimps?
- It is safe to freeze cooked shrimp.
- After grabbing something out of the freezer i left the freezer door open and went along my business... came home later that night (five and half hours later) and realized i had left the door open. Everything felt soft, i had chicken, steak, stew meat in there. Is it all bad now?
- If there were ice crystals in the chicken, steak and stew meat and the temperature was as cold as a refrigerator, the items can be refrozen. If they were at temperatures above 4 C/40 F for longer than two hours, they should be discarded
- Can we freeze vaccum packed smoked salmon where the expiry date is 1/01/2007 but would be consumed before that date?
- Yes, you can freeze the vaccum packed smoked salmon and consumed it after the expiry date. The freezing will extend the shelf life of the smoked salmon. It could be freeze for two months. Make sure that you will thaw it in the refrigerator.
- How long can I keep thawed strawberries in the fridge? Thanks Shelly
- Berries thawed in the refrigerator should be stored in the refrigerator and used within 4 to 5 days.
- how long can you keep lasagna in the freezer?
- Lasagna can be kept in the freezer as long as three months.
- I bought a frozen 12 lbs turkey on Monday and accidentally put it in the refrigerator. It is now the next Monday is it safe to cook?
- It may not be safe to cook. A turkey should be cooked within two days of being completely thawed.
- I made lasagna 4 days ago and it has been refrigerated unbaked. Can I still use it today and freeze the pans left over that are unbaked.
- The safest way to prepare a lasagne is to assemble and bake it before refrigerating for 3 to 4 days or freezing. Unless all of the ingredients were cold when assembled, your lasagne may be contaminated with harmful bacteria
- I have marinated a 6lb beef tenderloin overnight, but party plans have been cancelled. Can I freeze any of the meat(I know this is not ideal) now that it has been marinating? Thanks
- If the meat was purchased fresh (not frozen) and marinated overnight in the refrigerator at all time, it will be safe to freeze it. If it has been temperature abused during preparation (left mopre tahn 2 hours at room temperature), I would recommend to cook it first and then freeze the cooked meat.
- Once I've opened a package of smoked salmon how long can it be refrigerated and used?
- Once opened, smoked salmon can be safely refrigerated for five to eight days.
- I have purchased smoked salmon that has been frozen before and upon arriving home, I put it in the freezer. Can I eat it if I thaw it in the refrigerator knowing that the expiry date has not passed yet? Thanks!
- If you smoked salmon has been handled properly without any temperature abuses then it will be safe to eat.
- How long does thawed fish stay good for in the fridge?
- Once thawed, raw fish should be cooked within two days.
- I have a lasagna in the freezer that I froze after baking it first. How do I cook it? Should I thaw it first or cook while still frozen?
- For evenness of heating, cooked frozen lasagne should be thawed in the refrigerator before heating in a 350 degree oven to a safe 74 C/165 F. However, if you have a commercially made frozen lasagne, follow the heating instructions on the label.
- I frequently prepare a sherbet made of Minute Maid frozen juices where I add some small fruits and then freeze the whole thing again. Can I put this preparation directly in glasses and freeze them? Thanks!
- As long as you glasses will not shatter in the freezer, it will be safe to freeze your sherbet in them.
- if the date on the mayonaise is expired by 1 month should I open it and can I use it
- If the date on your mayonnaise has expired by one month, do not use it. After that date, the food manufacturer does not guarantee its quality and food safety issues could develop.
- How long does smoked fish which is vacuumed pack last in the freezer?
- Hot smoked fish in a vacuum package can be frozen for 6 months.
- What is the shelf life of home canned salmon?
- Home canned salmon which has been pressure canned following a reliable recipe can be stored in a cool dark place for one year.
- I am telling myself that all frozen food (meat); even if they have passed their date by a year, they are still good to eat. It is true that they might not have the same flavours but what is the risk of being sick? Can we die? Diarrhea? What else? Urgent response. Thanks!
- I do not think that death will be the result of consuming products that have been frozen for over a year. Extended freezing of food could change their structure and during digestion, your digestive system could have a different way of handling the food where different consistency of fecal matter may results. But disease is unlikely.
- Can you freeze store purchased canned tomato juice for reuse later? We can buy it in bulk really cheap but want to know if I can divide it into smaller containers and freeze for later use. How long could you keep smaller containers frozen and still be safe to use?
- Yes, purchased tomato juice can be frozen in smaller containers. They could be frozen for at least six months.
- How long after the expiry date can ice cream be consumed?
- The quality of ice cream will gradually change after the Best Before Date. Eventually it may not taste good and there may be food safety issues.
- How long can we keep frozen fish fillets or fish tartar?
- Lean fish fillets such as cod or flounder can be frozen for 6 months without loss of quality. Fatty fish such as salmon can be frozen for 2 months.
- Can we refreeze a loaf of bread that has been previously frozen?
- It is safe to refreeze but some quality will be lost.
- I have some clamato juice in my fridge that has frozen. Is this juice still usable for caesars?
- Yes, the juice will be safe but use as soon as it is thawed. There may be some separation which can be corrected by stirring.
- I made some split pea soup last night and forgot to put in fridge. Can we still eat it?
- The pea soup is not safe to eat. Once cooked, the soup becomes an ideal environment for the growth of harmful bacteria and should be refrigerated as quickly as possible.
- I made spaghetti sauce with soy burgers in the sauce. I left it on the counter in a ceramic covered dish and forgot to refrigerate it. Would it be safe to eat it the next day?
- You are running a great risk of consuming that spaghetti sauce since it sat at room temperature more than two hours. There could be harmful bacteria that could have grown in the sauce with the ability to produce toxins which would not be destroyed if you boiled your sauce. I would strongly recommend you to throw it out.
- Hi! I have in the freezer for the two last years some organic pork products vaccum wrapped. Do you think that they are still good to eat?
- Your organic pork products will be of poor quality and may not be safe to eat. Fresh pork can be frozen as long as 8-12 months. Bacon can be frozen for 1 month, sausage and precooked smoked pork products can be stored 1-2 months.
- Can you describe the manufacturing of a 1.5 liter plastic bottle water? Thank you!
- Sorry, this is not in my area of expertise. For more information on bottled water, check out the website for the Canadian Bottled Water Association:
www.cbwa-bottledwater.org
- Can we freeze mayonnaise?
- Yes, it is safe to freeze mayonnaise and salad dressing but you may not want to. It separates.
- do almonds (peanuts, walnuts, macadamia nuts,etc.) once the can is open, need to be refrigerated?
- These nuts do not required refrigeration to be safe. They can be stored at room temperature for 2 weeks after opening. But refrigeration will extend their shelf life to 12 months for unsalted nuts and 8 months for salted nuts.
- I cooked Salmon last night for dinner, and forgot to put it in the refrigerator. I poached it so it was in the juice all night. Is it safe to eat?
- No, if the salmon in its juice was left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, (one hour in summer time) it will not be safe to eat. Throw it out!
- Hi! I have purchased vacuum-packed salmon and turkey cutlets today. Can I put them as is in the freezer to be able to eat them later? Thanks!
- Yes, you can put them in the freezer to be eaten later. Just make sure that they are well wrapped and that you thaw them in the refrigerator.
- Hi Mrs Cookwell. I got some questions about food safety. (1) I used to make the soup in the morning and leave it on the bench. I will reboil and consume it at dinner time. Is it safe? If not, what should I do because I only have time during morning. (2) It is said that cooked food should not be exposed to room temperature for more than 2 hours. Then it is not safe to buy BBQ pork, duck or chicken that sell in the Chinese restaurant. Am I right? because those cooked food hanging in the restaurant may be exposed to room temperature for a while. (3) Cooked food normally leaves on the table for several hours during party, then it is not safe to eat as well, it is true? thanks for your help.
- If you make soup in the morning, transfer it to a shallow container and chill as quickly as possible. Then bring it to a boil before consuming at dinner time.You are right to question the safety of BBQ poultry that has been hung and not refrigerated or kept hot for several hours. Public Health inspectors in some parts of Canada are cracking down on this practice.Yes, leftover food that has been on a buffet table for several hours during a party should be discarded.
- Is it actually unsafe to eat smoked salmon that has been stored in a freezer for 1 year? If so, why? Or is it just that the quality diminishes? Thanks
- It's recommended that cold smoked salmon (fresh lox) be frozen no longer than two months and hot smoked salmon be frozen no longer that five to six months. After that it should still be safe, but lower in quality. Because it is a fatty fish, rancidity with off flavours may develop.
- Why can't we refreeze a previously thawed product?
- Foods that have been frozen are more at risk for the development of harmful bacteria . If the food has been thawed safely in the refrigerator or in a sink of cold water, changing the water every 45 minutes, and still contains ice crystals, it can be refrozen. However, there will be loss of quality.
Discard any frozen or thawed food that has remained at room temperature for two or more hours because bacteria thrive at room temperature.
- Hi Mrs C. In one of the supermarkets here (Ireland) there is a "reduced" section ie food that has reduced in price because of nearness to selling date. Some of this food would be chicken, fish, ready made meals etc. I have often bought this stuff and put it in the freezer. Is this okay. M
- If the Selling Date in Ireland is equivalent to our Best Before Date in Canada, it would be safe to buy and freeze items nearing the date and freeze them immediately. Here the food manufacturer guarantees the product will be of good quality and safe through the Best Before Date. After that there will be a gradual loss of quality.
- I have a piece of salmon in the refrigerator and I would like to know how long would it keep?
- Fresh salmon can be safely refrigerated three to four days without loss of quality.
- Can I ovencook Salmon Fillets straight from frozen? If not why not? I reckon you can, my wife reckons not!
- Fish fillets may be safely cooked straight from the freezer. Cooking will take longer than for fresh or thawed fish so be sure it is cooked throughout until opaque and firm.
- How long can you keep unopened ham steak in the freezer before you use it? Also how long can you keep unopened puff pastries in the freezer before you use them?
- If the ham steak is fully cooked, it can be frozen as long as 2 to 3 months. Unopened puff pastry can be stored in the freezer until the Best Before Date or 2 to 3 months.
- I made "wasabe salmon" for dinner last night. The recipe calls for wasabe powder to be mixed into "light mayonaise" and to then coat the salmon with the mix. I had some left over and was going to take it to work for lunch the next day. I do not have a way to refrigerate the lunch. Will it be OK to eat if not refrigerated ? ? ?
- It will not be safe to eat if left unrefrigerated for longer than 2 hours (1 hour in the summer). Use an insulated lunch bag with small reuseable ice packs or a frozen juice box to keep your lunch at 4 degrees C/40 degrees F or below until you eat it.
- How long can vacuum packaged, fresh stag meat stay in the freezer? Thank you!
- Like other meats, stag roasts can be frozen as long as 10 to 12 months. Ground meat can be frozen 2 to 3 months.
- Once you open a can of spaghetti sauce, how long will it stay good in the fridge??
- If the spaghetti sauce is meatless it will be safe to refrigerated for seven days. If it contains meat, refrigerate and use within four days.
- Hello, I bought frozen pizzas that I have thawed, cooked for 15 minutes in the oven and frozen again. It is indicated on the package - do not freeze this product after thawing. Is this recommendation still applicable even after it was cooked 15 minutes in the oven?
- Once the pizza is cooked, it is safe to refreeze it.
- How long can ice cream be left for, before it can't go back in the freezer, in case it causes bacteria to grow resulting in food poisoning.
- Ice cream has been associated with outbreaks of food borne illness. After using, return ice cream to the freezer as soon as possible, Do not refreeze melted ice cream.
- Is it safe to freeze food in a stainless steel container or pot?
- It may be safe to freeze food in a stainless steel container or pot. But there are several reasons why this may not be a good idea. Foods should not be frozen in a large container because they freeze too slowly. The container or pot may not have an adequate cover. Container covers should fit tightly to protect the food from the dry climate of the freezer. Also manufacturers caution against allowing acidic or salty foods to remain in stainless steel for long periods. There is no known health hazards from leaching of the metal, but undissolved salt will pit steel surfaces.
- I left rice out all night by accident. Is it ok to eat?
- Once rice is cooked it is soft and an ideal environment for the growth of harmful bacteria. If left at room temperature longer than two hours discard.
- If I cook fresh salmon is it okay to freeze?
- Yes, fresh salmon that has been cooked can be safely frozen for four to six months.
- How long can a frozen shrimp ring be safely stored in the freezer.
- Check your frozen shrimp ring for a Best Before Date and if there is one, use by that date or within 3 months.
- If you use flour to bake with that has expired will it be harmful and will it change the taste..I did this and am not sure if should throw it out..The flour was 3 yrs. old..
- After the Best Before Date, there will be a gradual loss of quality. White flour should be used within 6 to 8 months or can be frozen for 2 years. So if using 3 year old flour, you can expect changes in the quality of your baking. But, it will not be harmful.
- How long does cooked salmon last in the fridge?
- Cooked salmon can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days.
- Last night I was making cookies and forgot to put the cookie dough in the fridge and left it out all night is it still good.
- Because cookie dough contains ingredients which may support the growth of harmful bacteria, it should not be left at room temperature longer than two hours (one hour in the summer).
- Can I freeze a toupie style ham?
- Freezing toupie style ham will not affect the safety. But the quality of the ham will be affected by freezing as changes in texture and flavour can occur.
- How long can I keep a can of anchovies past their best by date?
- Canned anchovies should be used by their Best Before Date.
- I purchased fish fillets from the fresh fish counter on Friday, I was informed the fillets were fresh therefore I froze them upon returning from the grocery store. Today I decided to thaw them and noticed a sticker saying that they were previously frozen. Are the fillets okay to consume, although they had been frozen and refrozen.
- Raw fish and seafood which has been sold as previously frozen, should be thoroughly cooked before freezing. In your case, since the fish fillets have been previously frozen, thawed and frozen again, I would not recommended that you consume them. For one thing, you do not know how the fillets were handled in the store. There could have been temperature abuses increasing the bacterial counts in the fillets. Repeated freezings damage the cells of the fish rendering it much dryer. You would want to diminish cooking time to avoid drying the fish further making it a hazard for a product that could be undercooked.
- Can we freeze some black blood pudding?
- Black blood pudding can be frozen for as long as two months.
- Hi, is it safe to cook (poach in microwave) salmon from frozen?
- Yes, it is safe to poach frozen salmon in the microwave. It will just take a bit longer to cook thoroughly until it flakes.
- Hi Mrs. Cookwell! I have prepared a salmon tartar Thursday night and I want to serve it for lunch on Sunday. Would it still be good to eat? Thanks!
- Salmon tartar made with raw salmon is very perishable. It is safest served the day made and may be stored for only a short period of time- 1 day.
- Hi! I have some dried fruits such as almonds and peanuts that will expired in several weeks but I do not think that I will be able to use them until that time. Can I freeze them?
- Yes, nuts can be frozen before their Best Before Date. Unsalted nuts can be stored 9 to 12 months in the freezer and salted nuts can be frozen 6 to 8 months.
- Once opened, how long does imitation crab meat stay good in the refrigerator?
- According to a chart published by the US National Fisheries Institute, imitation seafood products like your crab that are thawed, never frozen or previously frozen and refrigerated at home can be stored two weeks.
- I would like to know if we can freeze ham and if so how?
- It is recommended that canned ham not be frozen because of its water content.
Fully cooked half and whole hams can be packaged in freezer wrap and frozen for 2 to 3 months.
- Can we freeze ham that I just ground? What would be the best way to thaw after? Thanks!
- Yes, your ground ham can be safely frozen. Thaw in the refrigerator and use within two days of being thawed.
- Ca we refreeze a food product (meat or vegetables) once it has been cooked?
- Yes, leftover cooked meat or vegetables can be chilled quickly and frozen in single use portions.
- Is it true that the temperature of a freezer must be at -30 degrees C to be able to freeze fresh meat safely? Mine does not have a temperature indicator. Would this mean that it is necessarily at -30 degrees?
- The temperature of a freezer should be -18 degrees C (0 degrees F). Buy a refrigerator/freezer thermometer and check often that the safe temperature is being maintained.
- Hi! I was given a leg of chamois frozen since the month of November 2005. What do you think? Can I consume a meat that has been kept for so long? Thank you for your answer.
- One year is the maximum recommended freezer storage time for roasts like your leg of chamois. After that there will be gradual loss of quality.
- I had lots of mini individually wrapped halloween candy left over, how long can I freeze them?
- How long candy can be stored depends on what kind it is. There will not be any food safety issues but there will be gradual loss of quality.
- What are the risks of eating tuna that's been sitting, (prepared and mixed w/mayo) in an airtight container in the fridge, for 7 days?
- Tuna mixed with mayonnaise should be refrigerated and eaten within 5 days. When stored longer there will be loss of quality and an increased risk that bacteria present may multiply to dangerous levels.
- I baked 2 pieces of salmon and took it out of the oven. I ate one piece and forget to put the other away. It sat out for 3 hours. Can I still eat it?
- If cooked salmon is left at room temperature more then one hour in the summer (two hours in the winter) bacteria present may multiply to spoil or even make the product dangerous to eat. It should be discarded.
- I would like to smoke my own meat and fish. I do not know where can I find recipe books. Would you have something to suggest? Thank you!
- I recommend that you check out your local books stores or kitchen shops for recipe books on smoking meat. The large book store chains carry a wide selection of cookbooks and you may also have a store the specialized in cookbooks in your area as well.
- How long can cooked fish and chips be left in the fridge before it goes bad?
- Cooked fish and chips can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days and shoud be consumed during that time.
- how do you read expiry dates on cans of tuna?
- Because commercially canned tuna is a shelf stable food and can be stored for a year or more, if properly stored, it does not carry a best before date. However, the manufacturer does place a code on the can that will indicate when it was produced. Since each manufacturer has their own code, you will have to contact them directly for information. Check for a toll free number on the label of the can. I also recomend that you record the date your purchased the product on the can so you can ensure that you are consuming the product in a reasonable amount of time.
- Does soy sauce spoil if not opened ?
- Soya sauce is a shelf stable product. Recommended shelf life for a condiment such as soy sauce is 12 months for an unopened container.
- How long can you keep plain cooked pasta without refrigeration?
- Once pasta has been cooked, any leftovers should be refrigerated right away. Once cooked, pasta is a moist environment, ideal for bacterial growth. Keep it refrigerated.
- Does canned salmon have an expiry date and if yes, how do you read it?
- Canned salmon may not have a Best Before Date because in Canada only products with a shelf life of 90 days or less require a Best Before Date. A code on the can is for the use of the canner. The shelf life is generally stated as six years providing the integrity of the can has not been compromised due to damage or corrosion.
- Hi! I am preparing a buffet for 40 persons. I want to know if I can prepare my egg, ham salad and chicken sandwiches in advance? Same things for the fruits and vegetables? Thank you!
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Sandwiches with egg, ham salad and chicken may be prepared one day ahead and refrigerated. Some kinds of fruits and vegetables can be prepared one day ahead and refrigerated and other kinds like pears and bananas lose quality once prepared.
- Can I eat mussles in tomato sauce cooked 3 days ago?
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Cooked muscles in tomato sauce should be refrigerated and eaten within two days.
- I took some chicken out from the freezer and then defrosted some, can I put the rest back in the freezer??
- If the chicken was defrosted in the refrigerator and there are still ice crystals in it or it is very cold to the touch, it can be refrozen.
- I marinate some tuna steaks on friday and put them in the fridge. it's now tuesday. they don't smell bad or anything; are they safe to grill and eat ??
- Tuna steaks kept in the refrigerator should be used within 3 to 4 days after purchase. Consuming them on Tuesday should be fine as long as they did not get exposed to abusive temperature for long period of time.
- if ketchup is left in the tin in the fridge, after how long is it considered unsafe to consume?
- If the tin can has been opened, the acidity of the ketchup in the presence of oxygen will attack the inside wall of the tin much faster as if the tin has not been opened. Once opened, the ketchup should be removed from the tin as soon as possible.
- I have found some home canned salmon in glass pint jars and small salmon jars that are dated 2000. Will they still be safe to eat?
- Even if home canned salmon has been correctly processed, it can only be stored safely for one year.
- How long can eggs be stored in refrigerator?
- Eggs can be stored in the refrigerator up to their best before date. According to the Canadian Egg marketing Agency they would still be safe to use at least 2 weeks after their best before date if they were not temperature abused.
- My freezer has been unplugged for a given period of time. Ice cream got soft but did not thawed completely. I refreeze the ice cream and ate some. Is it dangerous? What would I risk?
- Chances of been sick with food poisoning symptoms are very very low. Ice cream did not have the time to melt completely making it still good to eat. It is possible to experiment changes in the texture but microbiology wise, danger is almost absent. According to what you are saying, the unplugged freezer did not stay that way that long.
- A collegue cooks his eggs to make them hard and he does that at the same time as another food commodity. Isn't there a risk of cross contamination since we do not wash the eggs before cooking?
- There could always be a risk of cross-contamination between raw foods if they are handled together. It depends what cooking process is used here. If the eggs are boiled to make them hard and this is done with other foods, the boiling water should kill the harmful bacteria that could be present on the surface of the egg. It is important to wash our hands after handling them.
- We left cooked mussels out all night in a pot. The temperature in the house was 20 degrees C /68 degrees......are they safe to eat?
- Your cooked mussels have been left overnight in what is called the "danger zone" (4 C to 60 C or 40 F to 140 F) where harmful bacteria, if present, will thrive. There is a high risk they are not safe to eat.
- When you barbecue fish, such as salmon steaks, what internal temperature(s) indicate the fish is fully cooked and safe to eat? How can you tell if scallops, calamari or shrimp are properly cooked?
- To be safe, fish should be cooked to 63C/145F.Shellfish should be cooked thoroughly to 77C/170F. Properly cooked fish will flake easily with a fork. Continue boiling scallops for 3-5 minutes after the shells open.
- I breaded some pike on the week-end and I have some left-over. How to I heat it in the microwave or in the oven?
- Either way would produce a safe product as long as the fish is reheated to a temperature of 74C/165F.
- A whole case of canned tomatoes was mistakenly put in the freezer, are they safe to eat?
- Yes, they are safe to eat. However, once defrosted, use them as quickly as possible. But first check that the seal of the can has not been damaged and when the can is opened do a second check for spoilage. If present, discard.
- Can we freeze homemade canelloni?
- It would be safe to freeze homemade cannelloni but the quality may not be good. The pasta may be mushy. Meat filling will freeze better than a cheese filling which may change texture.
- Why canned foods can be kept for longperiod of time?
- In ideal conditions, canned foods keep for long period of time because they receive a thermal treatment that destroyed viable microorganisms and their spores. This treatment is called commercial sterility. Once the heat treatment is apply, the can itself protect the foods from its environment as long as the can is intact.
- I just finished thawing my freezer with drawers. Once well cleaned, I would like to know if I can put my frozen food right away or wait until the freezer is back to minus 18 degrees C before I put them back in?
- If your frozen food is being kept frozen, do not return to the clean freezer until it reaches -18C.
- How long is a jar of spaghetti sauce able to be refridgerated for after it is opened?
- Spaghetti sauce could be refrigerated for as long as five days after opening.
- Are the big freezers keeping foods longer than the small freezers that are combined to a refrigerator?
- Freezer compartments combined with refrigerators are not as efficient and generally do not constantly keep foods as cold as separate freezers. So foods stored in a refrigerator freezer may have a shorter shelf life.
- I bought sliced, smoked salmon at the deli. How long can it keep in the refrigerator in a resealable plastic bag?
- Smoked salmon stored in the refrigerator should be eaten within 1 - 2 days.
- Fresh beef and lamb steaks were in a very cold part of refrigerator. It's not a freezer but it gets cold enough that ice crystals form on meat and meat temp is 0C. They've been like that for two months. OK to use?
- Refrigerated beef and lamb can be stored for one to two days. That time may be extended by one or two days when kept cold enough that ice crystals form on the meat. But for longer storage the meat must be solidly frozen in a freezer at -18 degrees C / 0 degree F. It is not recommended to eat that meat.
- How long will shrimp cocktail stay fresh to eat if kept in the fridge? it was made yesterday, will it be o.k. to eat tommorrow?
- Cooked shrimp can be refrigerated as long as one to two days.
- How long can we keep sardines in the freezer?
- If not canned, these oily fish can be stored in the freezer for 4 months.
- Can I freeze chicken breasts coated with raw egg and bread crumbs? What should my fridge temp. be set at? What about my freezer? How can I check the temp. without a thermometer?
- Your fridge should be 4 degrees C/40 degrees F. Your freezer should be -18 degrees C/0 degrees F. The only accurate way to test the temperature is with a refrigerator thermometer. Do not coat chicken breats with raw egg and bread crumbs before freezing. During freezing or thawing harmful bacteria could grow in the breading.
- Why do ice crystals form on ice cream in the freezer and can you still use the ice cream once these form? Is there a good way to stop them from forming?
- For best quality, store ice cream in the freezer no longer than two months. To prevent ice crystals from forming, press a layer of plastic freezer film down on the ice cream in a partially used container. If crystals do form, the ice cream can still be used.
- How long will it take to thaw a 30 lbs tin of syrup in the fridge
- The length of time it takes to thaw a 30 lb. tin of syrup in the fridge will depend on the shape of the can and the temperature of your fridge. If you need to speed up the thawing, set the sealed tin in a sink of cold water and replace with more cold water every 45 minutes.
- I just baked a whole half salmon and want to know how I can best store it. How long will it last in the fridge, and how long and how well will it freeze? Thanks! Laura
- Cooked fish may be stored, tightly wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to 3 - 4 days. To freeze your leftover salmon, wrap tightly in freezer wrap (to protect against freezer burn) and freeze up to 4 - 6 months.
- How long will vacuum packed salmon steaks keep in the refrigerator? Not frozen.
- Salmon steaks may be refrigerated three to four days.
- How long can I keep raw mussels? How about cooked mussels? Thank you!
- Raw mussels in the shell can be refrigerated 3 days or frozen for 2 months. Cooked in the shell they can be refrigerated 3 days or frozen for 2 months. Raw and cooked mussels removed from the shell can be refrigerated 3 days or frozen for 3 months.
- I prepare my dog's dog food using meat and fresh ground up uncooked vegetables. This is placed into small bags and frozen. Sometimes if I have extra ground up vegetables I will freeze them in small bags. Now if I use those vegetables which had been frozen can they be refrozen if they were used to make food or would that not be best to do.
- To preserve nutrients and quality in your ground up vegetables defrost them and stir into your food just before serving rather than refreezing them.
- Can I freeze some soup that I prepared for my 7 months old baby (made with frozen vegetables)? How long can I keep it and what would be the best way to freeze it? And what about meat; can I mix it to the soup before freezing it?
- Yes, you can safely freeze soup that has been prepared with frozen vegetables and meat. However, it is very important that the soup be made, cooled and frozen safely because a seven month old is more at risk for food borne illness. Be sure the soup has been brought to a boil. Cool it as quickly as possible, refrigerate and freeze. Before freezing, divide it into single use portions such as ice cube size.
- Hi! Can I thaw meat in a container of hot water while leaving the meat in its original plastic packaging? How long can I keep it then in the refrigerator before cooking it?
- This is not a safe way to thaw meat. Meat should be thawed in the refrigerator or, sealed in its original package, in a sink of COLD water replacing the water with more cold water every 45 minutes. After thawing it should be cooked within 48 hours.
- I have never been able to find a best before date on any jars of salsa that I have purchased. Could you tell me how long I can keep the salsa once the jar has been opened and kept refrigerated?
- Commmercially made jars of salsa may not have a Best Before Date if the shelf life, unopened, is longer than 90 days. Once opened, it should be used within one month.
- I would like to know what is the maximum length of time strawberries can be kept frozen? Strawberries that have been frozen for 12 months; are they still good to eat?
- Strawberries can be kept in the freezer for eight to 12 months. After that there will be a gradual loss of quality.
- I left my refrigerator door partly opened overnight. There was some ice cream in it. Can we freeze them again?
- Ice cream is a perishable food product and should be kept at freezer (-18 ºC/
0 ºF) temperature to maintain quality and safety.
- If a box of flash frozen fish was shipped overnight via courier and it thawed partially, may it be refrozen for 7 days and cooked then?
- If the fish still contains ice crystals or feels as cold as in the refrigerator, it can be refrozen for 7 days and cook after. Make sure that you are thawing the fish using one of these three methods: in the refrigerator, by using a microwave oven or by using cold water from the sink, changing the water every 45 minutes. The fish (or any frozen food) should not be thawed at room temperature.
- I froze in March 2005 a deer thigh. I would like to know if I can marinated it; is it still possible?
- Deer can be stored in the freezer for 12 months. After that there will be a gradual loss of quality.
- Why aren't we able to eat a meat that has been refrozen? Is it dangerous?
- If the meat is frozen raw, it is safe to refreeze and then cook as long as it has been thawed in the refrigerator and there are still ice crystals. If not, there is a risk that harmful bacteria may develop. If the meat is cooked, each time it is defrosted and reheated there is loss of quality and a risk that harmful bacteria may develop. So before freezing leftover cooked meat, divide it into single use portions.
- How long is it safe to keep sauces - like yogurt dip and guacamole dip - and frozen dumplings filled with shrimps unrefrigerated? There was a line at the market and the whole shopping process took something like an hour. When I came home the containers with the dips were definitely room temperature: is it safe to eat them?
- In hot summer weather taking a small iced cooler on food shopping trips is a great idea. Then refrigerated and frozen products could be kept cold during the shopping, checkout and drive home.If the shrimp dumplings call for cooking from the frozen state, they are not safe to refreeze or cook unless there were ice crystals still in the dumplings. The safety of the dips may also be questionable if they remained at room temperature longer than one hour.
- How long does crab meat last after it has been picked and stored in zip lock bags in the fridge?
- Cooked crab meat can be refrigerated three to four days.
- How long will boiled shrimp last ?
- Cooked shrimp can be refrigerated one to two days.
- If I bought shrimp that was frozen and then put it into the fridge how long can I keep it in the fridge before it is no good to cook?
- Frozen raw or cooked shrimp should be eaten or cooked within 1 to 2 days after thawing.
- Is it true that cooking salmon on a cedar board could be very toxic?
- It could be toxic if the cedar has been treated with a chemical.
- How long can I keep fresh shrimp in the refrigerator before cooking it?
- Fresh shrimp can be kept refrigerated one to two days before cooking.
- How long does opened vaccuum packed smoked salmon last in the fridge?
- Once opened, vacuum packed cold smoked salmon (lox) can be refrigerated 5 to 8 days. If the salmon is hot smoked, it can be refrigerated 14 days or until the Best Before Date.
- I am cooking some salmon tonight and I would like to know if I can freeze the left-over and if so, for how long? Thank you!
- Leftover cooked salmon can be frozen for as long as four to six months.
- I'm buying some sweet shredded pork from a local Mexican restaurant for a family reunion that is Saturday. I was going to freeze it now to safely transport it. It is already cooked. If we don't use it all can it be safely refrozen?
- Each time food is frozen and defrosted there is an increasing risk that harmful bacteria will develop. If the leftover pork was left at room temperature for longer than one hour while being served, that would also increase the risk. If possible, package the estimated amount of leftover pork in a separate package and keep it frozen and or refrigerated until necessary to use.
- I boiled some jumbo shrimp Monday night. It's Wednesday night now. They've been in the fridge since Monday. Are they safe to eat for dinner tonight?
- Yes. Cooked shrimp should be refrigerated and used within one to two days.
- If I prepare a lasagne ahead of time, can I freeze it for 3 days before serving?
- Yes, a homemade lasagna can be frozen for three days before serving. Make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator.
- I had a salad for lunch,and didn't notice that the salad dressing had expired,but it tasted ok and looked normal. Will this make me sick? I threw the jar away.
- Because there are many factors which would affect the outcome, there is no way to predict if consuming an expired product will make you sick. It could dépend of the ingredients in the dressing. However your chances of being sick would be low and as the time will go by, those chances will disappear.
- Is smoked salmon (vacuum sealed) safe to eat if it is over 2 years old? It was stored and then forgotten about until now. Can't find a use by date.
- If the salmon is sealed in foil, it is like a canned product and the shelf life is 2 to 5 years.
- I pulled out of the freezer some chicken breasts and I had them thawed in the refrigerator. I forgot them on the kitchen counter for 2 hours and 30 minutes. Should I throw them out?
- If defrosted chicken breasts are left at room temperature longer than one hour (two hours in the winter), there is a risk they could be contaminated with harmful bacteria and should be discarded.
- My freezer thawed accidently. I had some Reblochon cheeses in it. I put them in the refrigerator. How long do I have to eat them before putting my health at risk?
- There will be loss of quality if the cheese is overriped. So the length of time it can be refrigerated depends on how ripe it was when it was frozen.
- Can we freeze a meal prepared with previously frozen vegetables purchased at the supermarket?
- As long as the vegetables were defrosted in the fridge or cooked they should be safe to freeze a second time.
- I put a can of salmon in a fridge and it froze because the fridge was at too cold a temperature. Is it safe to eat? I brought it home and put it in the fridge.
- Your thawed salmon is safe to eat. But use it as soon as possible. First check the can to be sure the freezing did not cause a hole in the can. When the salmon is opened, check the product for signs of spoilage and if present, discard.
- I served Rugala (pastry made with butter, flour and cream cheese and stuffed with fruits), which had been frozen and defrosted at a party. There were many leftovers. Can I refreeze them? Thank you
- Party leftovers such as Rugala that have been served buffet style should be discarded because they would have been at room temperature longer than one hour and contaminated by people helping themselves.
- What are the effect of thawing and Refreezing on physio-chemical and microbial composition of claries fish? Thanks
- A fish that has been initially frozen get some structural damage when the water present in the cells freezes, expanding the cell to breakage. Once that fish is thawed, there will be a great loss of water due to the damaged cells releasing that water. Once we refreeze the fish, there will more structural damage as described before with loss of quality. Due to an excessive lost of moisture, the fish will be dryer and more susceptible to freezer burns if not properly wrapped. The fat present in the fish may change as well giving the fish that off taste of rancidity. As for the bacteria in the fish, they may find opportunity to multiply if the fish is temperature abused when thawed and refrozen. Psychrotrophic bacteria will spoil the product.
- How long can you keep store bought hamburgers in the freezer.
- Ground meat can be stored in the freezer for two to three months.
- Can we freeze garlic? Thank you!
- Garlic tends to get strong and bitter when frozen.
- Can I freeze a shepherd's pie and if so, for how long? How about mashed potatoes, can we freeze them too?
- Yes, a shepherd's pie can be frozen for 2 to 3 months. Mashed potatoes may be frozen for two weeks. Be sure to thaw both in the refrigerator. Reheat to 74 degrees C (165 degrees F) or higher.
- I have grilled some sole fillets on Friday. We are Monday and I always kept it in the refrigerator in a Tuppeware container. Can I still eat it? It has been 4 days now.
- Cooked fish can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. So yes, it is still go as long as you eat it today, Monday.
- We made salsa yesterday afternoon but didn't can it yesterday. We went to can it today at 2 pm and it tasted fermented. We made a very large batch. Can it be salvaged? Should we "cook" the alcohol out?
- Unless canned, salsa has to be kept refrigerated. If it was left at room temperature longer than one hour (two hours in the winter) organisms which cause spoilage and possibly food borne illness may have developed and there is no way to salvage it for canning. It has to be thrown out.
- How long is it safe to store a purchased bottle of opened salsa?
- Once opened, a jar of commercially made salsa can be refrigerated one month.
- How long can French onion dip stay refrigerated after opening?
- After opening, French onion cream cheese dip may be refrigerated for 10 days.
- My fresh caught salmon was flash frozen in Alaska and brought by air with me in special fish box. However, though it was checked on my plane, it did not arrive until four hours later, a total time of 19 hours. When it finally arrived, it was primarily thawed but still cold. I refrigerated it over night. Can I filet and cook it tonight safely? (It was gutted and deheaded before freezing. Please answer promptly since I have guests expecting salmon tonight for dinner. Thank you for your promptness and help. Jeannette
- If the salmon was at refrigerator temperature
(40F/4C) or below, it should be safe to cook within 48 hours.
- There is a "buy by" date on salmon, but how long after that date is it safe to eat?
- Raw salmon should be refrigerated and cooked within three days. Once cooked, it can be refrigerated three to four days.
- What is the best temp to freeze meat(beef,venison,lamb,etc.) at to store for long periods (6-8 months)without freezer burning, how should meat be wrapped for best protection??
- Bags and sheets of moisture-vapor resistant materials and heavy duty foil can be used for packaging meat for the freezer. Freeze meat at -18 degrees C (0 degrees F) or lower. For more rapid freezing set the temperature control slightly lower.
- Hi! I prepared some fish cakes by adding frozen coriander in the dough. Is it safe to freeze the dough used to prepare those cakes?
- Yes, it is safe to freeze the dough used to make fish cakes but there may be some flavour changes in the coriander.
- I would like to know how long cooked meats and fishes can be kept after cooking? With or without sauces? And the rule of thumb?
- Cooked meat, poultry and fish can be refrigerated as long as four days after cooking with out sauces. With gravy or sauce, refrigerate only one to two days.
- I would like to know if I can freeze vegetables that were previously thawed?
- If vegetables were thawed in the refrigerator, they may be refrozen but there will be some loss of quality.
- How long can I refrigerate broiled salmon?
- Broiled salmon can be refrigerated 3-4 days.
- What is the correct temperature for cooking processed foods, such as chicken patties, nuggets, beef ribs etc. Can deli turkey/ham be thawed in cold water?
- The labels of processed foods will list the oven temperature to be used for cooking. The safe temperature to which these foods should be cooked varies with the product. Chicken patties and nuggets should be cooked to 74C(165F) when measured with a food thermometer. Cooked beef ribs should be reheated to the same temperature.
Yes, deli turkey/ham can be thawed in cold water but they should be sealed in the package and the water should be replaced with more cold water every 45 minutes.
- I bought some fresh salmon on 9/2, today is 9/4. They put it on ice. I put it in the refrigerator instead of freezing it. Do you think it's still safe to eat?
- Fresh raw salmon can be refrigerated for as long as 2 to 3 days.
- My son and I ate mussels that were expired and I want to know the consequences of that.
- If you ate mussels past the Best Before Date there would be loss of quality and there may be food safety issues as well. More detailed information is required to give a more exact answer such as what kind of mussels ( fresh, canned) how they had been handled, how much you each ate and your health.
- Why doesn't Hellmanns Mayonnaise that says "No Refrigeration Needed" not spoil when not refrigerated? What is the secret?
- Food manufacturers create their products to be safe from harmful bacteria when stored as directed on the label. It is indeed a secret; they would not divulge the formula.
- i had some cooked clams given to me and i was wondering how i would bottle them. i was told to put them in a bottle with a little water and salt, then to seal it boil it in a pot for 2-3 hours. is this true?
- No. Canning of low acid foods, such as your clams, must ALWAYS be processed at a temperature of at least 116ºC (240ºF) to eliminate the risk of botulism, a type of deadly food poisoning. The ONLY way to reach this high temperature is with a pressure canner. Using a boiling water canner to process the clams, as was suggested to you, poses a real risk of foodborne botulism.
- I made homemade spaghetti sauce meatball/sausages. How long can you keep before it goes bad?
- Homemade spaghetti sauce with sausages can be refrigerated for three to four days or frozen for two to three months.
- Can a jar of capers in vinegar be used after being left out overnight?
- If the jar of capers has been opened, it should be refrigerated and not be left at room temperature longer than two hours.
- We just bought 125 lbs of fresh chicken (15 chickens) and just put it in our deep freeze. Is that too much fresh meat at a time for the freezer? What I mean is will the chicken freeze fast quickly enough to make sure it is safe to use it later?
- Your chickens would have needed to be refrigeration cold at their reception to ensure proper and fast freezing. Once placed in the freezer, ensure that they have space to allow freezing air in between them to accelerate the freezing process. You should check their state in two days as they should be frozen solid at that time. The fact that they are cooled down and getting frozen in the process, the development of microorganisms will come to a stop. However, you might have a slight loss of quality. In an ideal world, they should have been flash frozen before storage in the freezer. Monitor the temperature of the freezer, it should be at -18 degrees C (0 degree F).
- How long does anything mixed with mayo(salads,chip/veggie dip) last in the fridge.
- It's the other ingredients not the mayo which determines how long food can be kept. A deli salad can be refrigerated from 3 to 5 days. Small amounts of dips should be set out for dipping and the leftovers should not be saved.
- Hi! My wife brought back from Austria two vacuum packed bags of smoked pork meat. Those packages are out of the refrigerator since the last 7 days. On the plastic wrap, there is no expiry date. can we eat that meat safely? Thank you!
- Vacuum packaging does not eliminate the need for refrigeration. In Canada, the label would specify if refrigeration is required. If it is, the smoked pork should be discarded if left at room temperature longer than two hours.
- Can you still eat shrimp that has been frozen past the date on it's package? it's never been thawed
- Eat frozen shrimp by the Best Before Date on the package. If there is no Best Before Date, frozen raw or cooked shrimp in the shell should not be frozen longer than two months. If shelled, shrimp can be frozen three months.
- Can you marinate fish and then freeze it? If so, how long will it remain fresh?
- Fish that has been previously frozen should not be refrozen in a marinade as this could pose a food safety risk. If the marinated fish is fresh however, it may be frozen in the marinade and used within 2 months.
- How long will tuna steaks last marinated in the refrigerator?
- Tuna steaks marinated in the refrigerator may be stored up to 2 days. Marinating raw meats and fish enhances the flavour and tenderness of foods, but does not destroy harmful bacteria that may be present.
- Tomorrow, I am preparing some preserves; marinated beets, marinated cucumbers, green tomato ketchup and fruit ketchup. I do not have room so I though to put them in the shed where it is fresh. It is not heated. Would there be risk of frost during winter? Does vinegar freeze? Should I fill up my jar to the top or just to three quarter? Thanks!
- Safe recipes and procedures should be followed when canning and preserving or the food may cause serious food borne illness. Use a reliable tested recipe that includes processing after the food is put in the jar. Do not change the ingredients or processing time. The recipe should specify how full the jars should be. Home canned foods should be stored in a clean, cool, dark dry place and used within one year. Freezing the jars does not cause spoilage unless the seal is damaged.
- How long does salsa last that has never been opened? I can not find an expiraton date.
- If there is not a Best Before Date provided by the manufacturer, the recommended storage time for unopened salsa is 12 months.
- Hi! My refrigerator door stayed ajar for a period of 10 hours ans its temperature reached over 20 degrees C. Most of the containers were still cold to the touch with condensation. Is there any food that can be salvaged? I threw away dairy products and meats). How about juice (V-8 and ice tea), mayonnaise, condiments, salad dressing and pesto? Thanks!
- Most food held above 4ºC /40ºF for more than 2 hours should be discarded.
In your case, opened creamy based dressings, opened vegetable juices and opened mayonnaise should be discarded as they were held above 10ºC /50ºF for more than 8 hours. It's safe to keep butter, margarine, opened fruit juice, opened canned fruits, fresh and dried fruit, open bottles of vinegar-based dressings and pesto.
- Our freezer shut off for 2 days without us realizing it, we recently put vacuum sealed moose meat in it and now it is thawed (the meat wasn't all frozen yet). Is the meat safe to refreeze? The temperature of the freezer when we discovered it was off was 3 degrees C (38 degrees F).
- When the power fails, a fully stocked freezer will usually keep the food frozen or almost frozen for 48 hours if the door is not opened frequently. The moose can be refrozen if it still contained ice crystals or was thawed at or below 4 degrees C (40 degrees F) which seems to be your case. Vacuum packaging does not change the need for refrigeration.
- Can we freeze ham, eggs or chicken sandwiches with mayonnaise? Can I thaw them in the refrigerator and eat them after?
- Yes, you can freeze ham and chicken sandwiches. Egg whites toughen. Mayonnaise tends to separate so use salad dressing instead. Thaw in the refrigerator in wrappings.
- I want to use canned clam chowder as a base for making large quantities of fish chowder. I want to add cooked shrimp, clams and cooked frozen sole fish to add to the canned clam chowder. Is it then safe to freeze the completed fish chowder to be re-heated and used later? thank you
- Yes, it will be safe to freeze the completed fish chowder. But freeze in single use containers.
- Is it safe to use Miracle Whip in a sandwich for school lunch
- Miracle Whip is a safe ingredient for school lunches because all sandwiches should be packed in an insulated lunch bag with a frozen juice box or small reusable ice pack.
- How long can I keep Hellmans mayonnaise at room temperature while preparing a recipe?
- Hellmans mayonnaise should be treated like any other perishable food product, and should not be left at room temperature longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour during the summer).
- Do rolled oats go off and what is the likely cause of spoilage?How can i ensure the longest possible shelf life of rolled oats
- Rolled oats may be stored in the pantry for up to 6 - 10 months. Over time, oxidation of the fats may occur causing rancidity in the oats. Store oats in a sealed container (to prevent exposure to moisture and insect or pest infestation), and keep in the pantry away from direct light and excessive heat.
- Can I freeze a shrimp mousse that contains mayonnaise? Thank you!
- It would be safe to do so (as long as it was handled and stored safely prior to freezing) but the thawed results would not be very palatable. Mayonnaise does not freeze well and tends to separate upon thawing.
- I am trying to find out how and when the home freezing of food began? Thank you!
- Ice was used to preserve food prior to the invention of refrigeration and freezer units. Home freezer units were introduced in the early 1940's, but only the wealthy could afford these units. Mass production of home freezers began after World War II.
- Hi! I prepared spaghetti sauce that I froze after cooking. Later on, I thawed a jar in the refrigerator and used it to prepare a lasagna that I cooked. Can I freeze a piece of this lasagna? Thanks!
- Yes, the lasagna can be frozen for 2 - 3 months.
- How can I get rid of a strong fish odour in the refrigerator? Thank you!
- Fish odors can be difficult to remove. Try washing the inside of the unit with a solution of baking soda and water. If possible, allow to air out several days. Or sprinkle baking soda on fresh coffee grounds loosely in the bottom of the unit or place in an open container. To prevent odors developing and cross contamination, wipe up spills immediately. Clean surfaces thoroughly with hot, soapy water, then rinse.
- If the juice of commercial dill pickles goes very cloudy, but the pickles smell and taste basically alright, is it dangerous to eat them?
- The cloudy brine may be an indication of spoilage. If in doubt, throw them out.
- Can we freeze marinated beets?
- Yes. Cook 25 minutes for small beets, 45 for medium. peel. Cool immediately. Remove stem and root, cut into cubes or slices. Package and leave 1/2 inch headspace. Freeze immediately.
- Can we prepare tartar with grounded moose meat?
- It is always risky to consume raw meat as it may be contaminated with bacteria that can make you very sick or kill you. I would not recommend tartar from any meat source.
- I have froze some beets. If I pull them out of the freezer, can I pickle them? Thank you!
- Pickles should be prepared with fresh beets, ideally within 24 hours of their harvest. Your frozen beets are best used in soups or casseroles.
- I have some leftover cooked beets that I put into jars. Vinegar has been added. Can I freeze them instead of sealing them and sterilizing them?
- Yes, the beets may be frozen in the vinegar. Be sure to pack in containers suitable for freezing to maintain quality.
- Hi! To enjoy some savings, I purchased a large box of ketchup to transfer the product in small jars and freeze those jars. How long can I use these jars kept in the refrigerator after I thaw them? Thank you!
- Once opened, the ketchup will keep in your refrigerator for 6 months provided the jars were sterile when you filled them and the ketchup remained frozen in your freezer. However, are you using glass jars? They may shatter in your freezer. Use containers that are designed to be used in the freezer.
- How can I thaw a ham without having to deal with all the water in the ham? Thank you!
- Unfortunately, during the freezing process, water in the meat is frozen, and comes out of the meat when it is thawed. You can cook the ham in the water and juices or use the cooked water/juices after to make sauce or gravy. Do not use raw juices as they may contain bacteria.
- Can we freeze some blood pudding?
- Yes, but do so within 2 days of purchase if it is raw. Cut the sausage into smaller pieces and wrap with freezer wrap to retain moisture.
- How long can I keep boiled shrimp in the refrigerator?
- Cooked shrimp may be stored in the refrigerator for 1 - 2 days.
- How long will fully cooked shrimp stay good in the refrigerator?
- Fully cooked shrimp may be stored in the refrigerator for 1 - 2 days.
- Hi! How can I keep a fresh pineapple? Frozen? canned? or else?
- Pineapple is picked when ripe, and will not ripen after harvesting. A whole, fresh pineapple can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 -4 days. Once cut, it will keep in the refrigerator for an additional 2 -3 days, covered. Canned pineapple can be stored for 12 - 18 months, once opened 5 -7 days in the refrigerator, but remove it from the can first. You can freeze pineapple in it's juice or syrup for 3 months.
- i bought fresh salmon on wednesday, marinated it on thursday and want to bbq it on sat . is it still okay?
- Fresh fatty fish such as salmon should be cooked within 2 -3 days of purchase. Saturday is the limit!
- Hi! I do have a refrigerator / freezer. I do freeze foods on a regular basis. One day , it could be some leftover breakfast, another day, it could be fresh products purchased at the supermarket that I will consume later. Another time, it will be a soup for several times; apple sauce, etc. At what temperature my freezer part of teh refrigerator should be set at for those daily freezings. I picked -21°C but I do not know if it is a good idea. I thought of setting it to -18°C and lower it down every time that I am freezing a food product. It is such a puzzle. Using temperatures like -24 or -25°C would be such a waste of energy. I do have a flash freezing option but I could understand that I should use it for large piece of meat greater than one kilogram. I am a bit lost here and I do not know which one is the best solution to choose? What do you recommend? Thank you!
- Freezers should be set at -18º C
(0 ºF). Ii is true that larger pieces of meat could take longer to freeze. Therefore flash freezing could be all indicated here.
- how long does imitation crab meat last in the refrigerator
- Imitation crab meat should be refrigerated no longer than 2 to 3 days.
- After a large banquet I had at a Chinese Restaurant, we have a lot of leftovers we brought home. This includes chow mein, beef broccoli, orange chicken, & assorted vegetable dishes.Can I safely package and freeze for future meals.
- As long as your leftovers were refrigerated or frozen within two hours of the food leaving the restaurant kitchen, they would be safe for future meals.
- How long can mayo be in the fridge during a power outage before it needs to be thrown out?
- Discard foods such as mayonnaise and tartar sauce if they have been stored above 10º C for longer than 8 hours.
- Should we freeze pink cooked shrimps purchased at the specialty store with their shell still on or removed? Thanks you!
- For maximum storage life and quality, freeze shrimp raw, with heads removed, but shells still on. Freezing with the shell on may retain some moisture. Since the shrimp are already cooked, with or without the shell on is fine. Use within 1 month.
- I have some spaghetti sauce that is frozen for the last 3 months. I would like to prepare a lasagne with this sauce and freeze any left-over baked lasagna. Can I do that without risks even if my spaghetti sauce has been frozen before? Thanks
- I do not recommend refreezing food unless there are ice crystals still present. You may have exposed the food to the Danger Zone - temperatures between 4º C and 60º C. If meat is present, there may also be quality issues as well due to loss of moisture. When heating the spaghetti sauce, make sure you bring it to a boil.
- Can I put directly in the oven a frozen piece of salmon? If so, for how long and at what temperature?
- You may cook the fish from frozen, however you will need to extend the cook time and that will depend on the size and thickness of the salmon. Cook the seafood to an internal temperature of 70º C, using a food thermometer and take the temperature from where the salmon is the thickest.
- After thawing the vegetable soup, how long can I keep it in the refrigerator?
- After thawing vegetable soup in the refrigerator, use within two to three days.
- Does Miracle Whip need to be refrigerated after opening?
- Yes, Miracle Whip dressing should be refrigerated after opening.
- Can we eat food after their expiry date such as unopened vacuum packed smoked salmon?
- Perishable foods, such as the smoked salmon, should be eaten before the expiration date to avoid any potential food safety hazards.
- I cooked beef for stew in frying pan for 1hr then put in crock pot added water and cooked till warm and accidentally unplugged it for 3hrs. Can it be spoiled?
- Perishable foods should not be kept in the danger zone - temperatures between 4º C and 60º C for longer than 2 hours. I'm not sure what you mean by "cooked till warm" but your beef may have been in the danger zone for longer than 3 hours. It is not safe to eat.
- I froze some macaroni salad that contained mayonnaise. When I thawed it, I noticed that the mayonnaise was separating. Is it still good to eat? The salad smells good.
- It is still safe. Water in the mayonnaise froze and then separated from the emulsion on thawing. Give it a good mix.
- My commercial refrigerator went from 4º C to 18º C (40 degrees to 65 degrees) overnight. I had a gallon of unopened mayonnaise in there is it still good to use?
- It is likely you purchased it unrefrigerated, and it is still unopen, so it is safe to use.
- I have an unopened but defrosted bag of shrimp in my refrigerator. How long is it safe to eat?
- Shrimp spoil quickly. You should consume them within 1 - 2 days of thawing.
- Hi! What is the proper temperature for a freezer? Thank you!
- The proper temperature for a freezer is -18 degrees C (0 degree F).
- Under what shapes can we find fish in the store?
- I am not really sure what you are asking. Fish may be sold raw, partially cooked, or fully cooked. Ensure you read the package carefully as the product may appear to be fully cooked, yet requires full cooking.
- I left rock hard frozen lasagna,sauce & meatballs out overnight to thaw and forgot until 6 am this morning is it still good?
- The lasagna, sauce and meatballs should have been thawed in the refrigerator. When thawed at room temperature there is a risk that harmful bacteria will develop and cause food poisoning.
- What is your opinion on freezing sausages, that had been previously frozen and then thawed in the refrigerated meat shelf of the grocery store?
- Federal laws require previously frozen products to be labeled at point of sale so consumers can handle them appropriately. For best quality and safety, cook these foods before refreezing.
- how long does cooked salmon last in the fridge?
- 1 - 2 days in the refrigerator, or 4 - 6 months in your freezer.
- How should poultry be thawed?
- The safest thawing method is always in the refrigerator and never on the counter at room temperature. If time is a factor, poultry may be thawed in it's original packaging, in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes to ensure the water stays cold. Poultry may also be thawed in the microwave, and must be cooked immediately after thawing.
- Hi, I cooked seasoned Tilapia fillets for dinner and I checked them to make sure they're done by using a fork to see if they flaked and they did,so we were nearing the end of eating dinner and my 10 year old daughter said the tail end off her fish was hard, I stabbed it with my fork and realized it was raw!And cold, will she get sick? Neither one of us had any idea that her piece wasn't done! I'm really nervous about this and trying not to scare her. I cooked four, thin fillets @425 degrees for 20 min.
- You now know why you should check food in several places to be sure it is cooked to a safe temperature. Each fillet should be checked to be sure it is cooked and flaky. Your daughter may not be affected by eating the undercooked fish. Usually, the interior meat of a fish is relatively sterile. But if symptoms of food borne illness do develop, see a doctor.
- Thawed frozen shrimp in the fridge overnight, it has been 2 days now, is it still safe to eat.... Thanks
- Shrimp, raw or cooked, should be eaten within 1 - 2 days of thawing as they are very perishable. If you give them a day to thaw in the refrigerator, they should be consumed in the next two days.
- I purchased a bucket of cookie dough from a school fundraiser & when it was delivered to me it wasn't frozen, the dough was almost thawed. I put it in the freezer ASAP, but are the cookies safe to bake & eat?
- The safe handling of frozen cookie dough varies with the product. Check the label of your dough. If it indicates that the dough can be thawed in the refrigerator before use and refrozen, it should be safe to bake and eat. If in doubt, throw it out.
- I prepared a fish pâté baked in a double-boiler to an internal temperature of 65 degrees. I did add some thawed shrimps. I froze it all. Can I consume it once thawed? Thank you!
- Because you have cooked the fish pate to a safe internal temperature, it should be safe even with the addition of the thawed shrimp if it was cooled quickly before freezing.
- Someone want to give me some vacuum-packed frozen venison kept in the freezer for two years. Is it still good to eat? Other question: How long after the death of the game animal (wild animal) should we eat the meat so it would not be hard. In other words, how long for each step? Animal is killed, then left at room temperature, then vacuum packed and then frozen? Thank you!
- There will be loss of quality in the meat as it has been in the freezer for longer than 8 months. Do NOT leave the meat at room temperature to age, that is very dangerous. The meat can be hung for 7 - 14 days to age, but in a refrigerated space, such as a cooler.
- How long can cooked bacon last in the fridge?
- I assume you cooked the bacon, so 1 week.
- A friend gave me a pork tenderloin which was vacuum sealed. How long will it keep in the freezer?
- For optimal quality, 8 - 10 months.
- How long is it safe to keep chilled, cooked shrimp on a buffet. How much longer if I put the plate over ice? Thank you.
- Chilled cooked shrimp should never be served at room temperature on a buffet. They should always be set over ice. Put out smaller amounts and when they are gone or after two hours, wash the serving utensil and refill with
more chilled shrimp.
- Can cookies be stored in the frig safely for 10 days?
- How long cookies can be safely refrigerated depends on the type of cookie and the ingredients. Plain cookies could be refrigerated for 10 days while it may not be safe to refrigerate those with fillings and frostings that long.
- How long can I keep salsa in the refrigerator after the jar is opened? Thank You.
- Once opened, a jar of commercial cooked salsa can be safely refrigerated for one month.
- Can we freeze hors d'oeuvres prepared with mayonnaise? Crab preparations with mayonnaise?
- Mayonnaise itself does not freeze well as it separates when thawed. However, if used as an ingredient, it will freeze but it may make the hors d'oeuvres soggy once thawed.
- I baked pork pies but cannot use them until next week so I froze them baked. Is that ok to do or are they supposed to be unbaked and then frozen?
- If the pies are already baked, freezing them is the best method for prolonged storage. You did well. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and heat to an internal temperature of 74ºC (165ºF).
- I have some smoked ham from 2 years ago. Can we still eat it without risks? Thank you!
- Ham should only be frozen for a short period of time (1 -2 months). Once thawed, use it in cooked dishes as there will be a watery texture due to freezing. Also, the high salt content of the ham may cause it to go rancid.
- How many days can you keep boiled shrimp in the ref? I say 3 to 4 days tops and someone else says a week. Who's right? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
- Shrimp and other shellfish spoil rapidly. Raw and cooked shrimp should only be kept in your refrigerator for 1 - 2 days.
- I bought some precooked frozen shrimp and thawed in the refrig how long will it keep?
- Shrimp is highly perishable, and will only keep in your refrigerator for 1 - 2 days.
- Can I freeze fresh shrimp and eat it 3 days later?
- Shrimp may be frozen for 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and eat within 1 - 2 days of thawing.
- How long can you keep an opened jar of marinara sauce in the refrigerator?
- Once opened, a jar of marinara sauce can be refrigerated for five days.
- Hi! Can I thaw some raspberries to prepare a frozen bombe that will need to be refrozen?
- Thaw the raspberries in the refrigerator and they will be safe to use in the frozen bombe. Or, depending on your recipe, they could be used frozen.
- What is the shelf life of a sandwich in a cooler? They were dated Thursday and I think they should be thrown out by Sunday.
- Pre-made sandwiches are perishable and should not be eaten once past their Best Before Date. They should be discarded.
- I heard that the use of a freezer is not recommended because it can present some health risks. Is it true? Please let me know. Thank you!
- As long as the freezer is in good working condition (no leaking of freon or lubricating oils) and the inside is kept clean, the freezer is a great appliance for long term storage of foods.
- I purchased an Excelsior stuffed frozen turkey on Saturday and I thawed it in the refrigerator. Can I cook it on the following Tuesday and consume it on the Saturday because I am receiving guests in the country and I want to bring it in deboned and ready?
- A pre-stuffed frozen turkey must be prepared exactly following the directions on the label. Usually the directions specify cooking from the frozen state. Once cooked, the stuffing should be removed and refrigerated separately. The turkey should be carved from the bones and refrigerated on a shallow tray to cool quickly. It can then be refrigerated and eaten or frozen within 3 to 4 days.
- I purchased some smoked sliced salmon for the holidays and we did not it all. Can I freeze the leftovers? It is written on the packaging: Do not refreeze but I know that many people does it and the consumption date is not passed yet. Can I do that without risks?
- If the label states "Do not refreeze", it should not be refrozen because there is a risk harmful bacteria may develop during the refreezing and thawing process.
- I unthawed cooked shrimp 4 days ago had it for shrimp cocktails and then promptly put unused ones in the refrigerator. Are they still safe to eat 4 days later? Thank you.
- Discard those shrimp! Once thawed, cooked shrimp should be refrigerated and used within 1 to 2 days.
- I defrosted a bag of uncooked shrimp I have marinated them in garlic and lime and some salt and hot peppers and cilantro. How long can I keep them uncooked in the Fridge????
- Raw shrimp should be cooked and eaten within 1-2 days of thawing, even if they are in a marinade.
- Once a jar of tomato sauce is opened, how long afterwards is it safe to eat, assuming it is always refrigerated after opening?
- Once a jar of tomato sauce is opened, it should be refrigerated and used within five days.
- I defrosted cocktail shrimp, three days ago,kept in the refridgerator at all times. Is it safe to eat?
- Once defrosted, raw and cooked shrimp should be cooked and, or, eaten within 1 to 2 days.
- Can children get sick if they eat pizza left out overnight when the room temperature is cold in the house?
- There is a risk that anyone who eats pizza left at a temperature higher than 4 degrees C/40 degrees F for longer than two hours will get sick because harmful bacteria may have developed. Young children are more susceptible to food poisoning than adults.
- I found 3 bottles of partially used dipping oil forgotten in my kitchen cabinet. One contains garlic, vinegar, olive oil, parm. cheese and capers. The others contain vinegar, olive oil and herbs. They have been in the back of the cabinet for possibly a few years. Should I toss them?
- Your dipping oils may possibly have a Best Before Date. If not, like commercial salad dressings, they should be used within three months. After that there may be loss of quality including changes in flavours.
- How long is cooked, tail on shrimp good for once you take it out of the freezer? I took it out saturday and was wondering if it's still ok to eat on wednesday? I've had it refrigerated in water.
- Once defrosted, raw and cooked shrimp should be cooked and, or, eaten within 1 to 2 days. Your shrimp should be discarded.
- I prepare marinated beets every fall. Jars have been sterilized, the caps did their typical "ploc" noise and they are rigid. There are however some white spots on the beets. Should I throw them out?
- To safely prepare marinated or pickled beets, after packing in the canning jars, they should be processed in a boiling water canned for 30 minutes at altitudes up to 1,000 ft (305 m), longer at higher altitudes. If you did not process, discard the beets.
- I prepared stew from fresh meat, refrigerated the stew immediately and then once cooled, stored it in the freezer for three weeks. Once the stew is thawed in the refrigerator, how soon must it be consumed?
- The stew, like any leftover cooked stew, should be used within 3 to 4 days.
- At what temperature should we set a horizontal freezer to freeze foods?
- Horizontal freezer should be set at -18 degrees C (0 degree F) or less (colder) to freeze foods adequately.
- How long is seafood chowder good for in the refrigerator after it is cooked?.
- Cooked seafood chowder can be refrigerated as long as 2 to 3 days.
- How long is dip made with mayonaise good for in the refrigerator?
- It would depend on the other ingredients in the dip. If you used raw egg, shelf life is 1 day. Based on the information you have provided, the dips will keep up to 1 week if there are no perishable ingredients such as meat or raw egg.
- How long can unopened shrimp ring stay in the refrigerator after being thawed?
- Once a shrimp ring has been thawed, it should be eaten within 3 to 4 days.
- I cooked some chicken and immediately put the pieces in the refrigerator. Later on, I prepared a cooked recipe with this chicken. I put the lrftovers back in the refrigerator. Can we eat those leftovers without any risks and how long can I keep them?
- The chicken leftovers may be eaten but be sure to reheat your leftovers well. Using a digital instant read thermometer, heat leftovers to an internal temperature of 74ºC (165ºF). Starting from the day you cooked the chicken pieces from a raw state, the cooked chicken may be stored in the refrigerator for 3 - 4 days.
- Is it possible to freeze a rice salad with a dressing in it?
- Rice freezes well. You do not mention the ingredients in the dressing, but the dressing may sperate. Thaw in the refrigerator and mix well before serving.
- i used chicken that had previously been frozen to make a curry but i made to much is it ok for me to freeze he leftovers?
- Yes, the cooked curried chicken may be frozen for 3 - 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and heat to 74 º C.
- I left my frozen chicken to defrost for 10 hrs I realized that it was too much. Is it ok if I put back some of it in the freezer? Or cook it all and freeze the cooked chicken?
- If the chicken was defrosted in the refrigerator it would be safe to refreeze a portion of it. It would also be safe to cook all of the chicken and freeze the cooked chicken.
- How long can a fish chowder-that has been already cooked stay in the frig??
- As cooked fish has a relatively short shelf life, the fish chowder may be stored in the refrigerator up to 2 days.
- I left cooked salmon out overnight. Is it still safe to eat?
- No. Salmon and other fish and shellfish are highly perishable foods. I do not recommend eating perishable foods that have been left at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
- How long can we keep a bottle of Dubonnet once opened? Should we keep it in the refrigerator or in a pantry?
- Once open, store in the refrigerator and use within 1 month for optimal freshness.
- how long do sausages wrapped in bacon last in the freezer after their best before date
- Freezing negates the best before date. Sausages may be frozen for 2 - 3 months.
- I took a roast beef from my freezer,it had a little frost on it so i washed it off with warm water and i cooked it is it safe to eat
- Yes, it should be safe to eat, provided it was thawed in a safe manner and cooked to a proper internal temperature. Be careful when washing raw meat and poultry and you may splash some water and raw juices around your sink and food preparation surfaces.
- Is it safe to eat individually plastic wrapped tilapia filets that have been in the refrigerator, out of the freezer for three days?
- Yes, but you should eat the fish within 2 - 3 days of thawing for optimal freshness. Fish is a highly perishable food. If it smells strongly of fish or ammonia, do not eat it, as the protein in the fish has started to break down.
- i left cooked hot dogs and bratwurst out over night is it ok?
- Unfortunately, no. Perishable foods, such as cooked sausage and wieners, should not be left unrefrigerated for longer than 2 hours. You should throw the food out.
- How long can we keep a fresh trout in the freezer?
- Trout is considered a fatty fish and may be stored in the freezer for 2 -3 months.
- I have frozen some left-over fish that were cooked in the oven. Can I warm them up in the microwave? Or should I cooked them on the stove? In both cases, what would be the minimum cooking time?
- The fish is already cooked, so using a microwave would be adequate. It is difficult to say how long it will take to reheat and will depend on thickenss of the fish as well as how powerful your microwave is. The safest way to determine if the fish is heated thoroughly is to use a thermometer and ensure the fish reaches an internal temperature of 74º C or 165º F
- I have thawed some bore meat (meat, liver) and I prepared some pâté with it. I marinated it for two days and I froze it. Can I eat it after cooking it?
- I hope you thaw the bore meat and marinated the meat in the refrigerator. If on the counter, NO, throw it out. Otherwise, based on your information, it should be safe to eat.
- I bought strips of steak for a stirfry. I froze the steak immediatly when I got them. I have thawed the steak in the fridge for 2 days. Today is the third day there are tiny spots on some of the strips. Are they safe to cook well done.
- You have correctly frozen and thawed the meat, and normally it should be consumed 1 -2 days of thawing. Most bacteria that cause food poisoning do not grow at refrigerated temperatures, except Listeria, so the meat should be safe if properly cooked, but I do not know what is causing the spots, nor what they look like. If in doubt, throw it out!
- How long can a pizza be kept at room temperature before it turns unsafe to eat?
- Pizza is a perishable food and should not be left unrefrigerated longer than 2 hours or you MAY be at risk of food poisoning.
- How long can we keep a homemade shepher's pie in the refrigerator?
- 2 -3 days at 4º C or less. If you can not eat it within that time, freeze it.
- Is it safe to cook salmon that is not completely defrosted?
- It might take a little longer to cook but it will be safe even if it is not completely defrosted. Make sure that it get flaky or reach an internal temperature of 700C (1580F) for over a minute.
- Hi ! I would like to freeze mushrooms for my wond needs in cas that I would need them. Thanks!
- Button mushrooms can be frozen whole, raw or cooked. Large mushrooms should be sliced and sauteed in butter before freezing. They don't need to be blanched first. Button mushrooms should be placed on a cookie sheet and frozen uncovered. Once frozen, place in containers suitable for freezing. For larger mushrooms, after cooking place in suitable containers with the liquid you cooked them in.
- I have a piece of cooked rabbit in the freezer for the last 5 months. Is it still good? Thank you!
- After this period of time, there may be a loss of food quality but would still be safe to eat. During the freezing process, foodborne pathogens enter a dormant stage. Only if the food was mishandled before going into the freezer, or mishandled after thawing, would the food become unsafe to eat.
- I have heard that you cannot safely freeze a tuna/noodle cold casserole that has mayo or miracle whip in it. Is that true? If not, what is the best method or procedure to doing it?
- If the casserole was prepared using safe food handling techniques including chilling quickly after preparing, it should be safe to freeze. However, if mayonnaise is used, it may separate.
- Is it safe to freeze canned fish mixed with Miracle Whip?
- Yes, it is safe to freeze canned fish mixed with Miracle Whip however there may be some loss of quality.
- Does tilapia smell after thawing it?
- If raw fish has been handled correctly before freezing, it may have a fresh smell when thawed in the refrigerator. A strong smell may be a sign of spoilage and the fish should be discarded.
- How long can grilled fish be left in the refrigerator before eating? Mine has been in the fridge for 7-10 days.
- Leftover grilled fish can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days. Discard your fish.
- Leftover salmon how long can it be kept in fridge, how many days until I need to throw out?
- Leftover cooked salmon should be refrigerated and eaten or frozen within 3-4 days.
- How long can I keep leftover pasta in the refrigerator if it has no meat?
- Leftover cooked pasta can be refrigerated for three days.
- I've had fresh uncooked shrimp in a vaccum bad in the fridge for 4 days. Can i still cook it now?
- Refrigerated raw and cooked shrimp should be consumed within 1 -2 days of purchase (or thawing) or frozen to extend the shelf life. You should not cook or consume the shrimp.
- I forgot to put some frozen treats in the freezer when I arrived home at around 7 pm. It is 10 pm and they are soft. Can I put them in the refrigerator and eat them as cream tomorrow and during the week?
- You have exceeded the 2 hour rule for perishable products. You should throw the treats out.
- Is it safe to eat sushi? ie. raw fish.
- Sushi is a higher risk food to consume. It can be safe to eat, but there are some factors to be aware of. Certain groups should avoid sushi (pregnant women, the very young, very elderly and immunocompromised). Also, the person preparing the sushi must follow excellent food safety practices such as using only the freshest ingredients, have a very clean and sanitary kitchen and utensils, clean hands, avoiding cross contamination with raw and cooked ingredients, etc. Not all sushi is prepared with raw fish, so some sushi is less risky to eat than others.
- I have a large frozen block of raw shrimps (4 lbs) that I cannot split. If I boil them a little bit, can I freeze them again? If so, how long would they keep in the freezer? Thank you!
- No need to boil, run under cold water and they will separate. You can then freeze the shellfish for 2 months.
- I forgot a tupperware dish containing seafoods in the refrigerator. Scared to death that a handwashing session would not be enough to kill the bacteria as there was a strong odour, i put it in the dishwasher. Is that enough to kill all the bacteria?
- Provided your dishwasher is operating correctly, yes, the water temperature is sufficient to kill the bacteria.
- Can I freeze fresh mussels and if so how long can i keep them?
- Mussels will freeze will but you should cook them first. Remove any open shells and clean first. Cook in liquid, freeze in suitable container with the liquid with or without the shell. You may keep the mussels for 1 - 2 months.
- I bought fresh, live mussels at the grocery store. I did not eat them that day that I brought them home. The next day I put them in the freezer in the same package I bought them in. They are frozen now in the container I bought them in. Are they safe to eat if I put wine on them and put them either in microwave or in a pan and steam them?
- For the best and safest results, fresh mussels should be cooked before being frozen in their cooking broth, and the dead ones removed (shell is wide open before cooking).
- I accidentally left a steak out for about 10 hours room temperature. I knew the danger zone is anything after five. I put it in the fridge for about a hour and decided to cook it. So I waited for the bbq to reach 500 and put it on for five min one side and the other for ten but my propane was running out and the temp on the other side was only 200. Will I be ok? Im a 21 male with no problems.
- Perishable foods should not be left in the danger zone (4º C to 60º C) for longer than 2 hours. You run the risk of food poisoning. Even the healthiest of people may get food poisoning. If you notice flu like symtoms or any health changes, see your doctor immediately.
- Hello, how long can we keep fresh pike in the freezer?
- Pike is a lean fish and may be kept frozen for 3 - 6 months without compromising taste, quality, wholesomeness, or nutrition.
- Hello, My Wife Thawed some Chicken, Pork and Meat on the same plate overnight at room Temperature and the Blood from all 3 Meats has mixed under the Meats, Is it safe to Cook this meat and Eat it, or should we throw it away.
- The meat and poultry should be discarded not because they were thawed on the same plate but because they were thawed at room temperature overnight (more than 2 hours). There is an extreme risk that harmful bacteria may have developed. Thawing food should always take place in the refrigerator.
- How long can i keep cooked grilled tilapia in the refrigerator?
- Cooked grilled fish like tilapia can be refrigerated as long as 3 to 4 days.
- How long will pickled beets, made form canned beets, stay good in the refrigerator?
- Pickled beets may be stored in the refrigerator up to 1 month.
- Iam making a fish chowder with blend and milk. after cooking can i freeze it?
- Although it is safe to freeze a fish chowder, the quality will be affected as the milk tends to curdle or separate upon thawing and reheating.
- What temperature should your freezer be set at?
- - 18ºC or 0ºF or colder.
- How long is cooked salmon good for?
- Once cooked, the salmon will keep for 1 - 2 days in the refrigerator. If you can not eat it in that time, you may freeze the salmon for 4 - 6 months.
- Is a peanut or almond butter sandwich safe to leave out unrefrigerated?
- If you can not refrigerate your lunch (you should try and refrigerate your lunch, no matter what you are eating), peanut and almond butters are a good choice. Once the jars are open, these butters should be eaten within 2 - 3 months, as they may go rancid.
- Is it true that we are not supposed to consume a canned food that has a dent?
- It depends on the location of the dent and the severity of the dent. Severely dented cans should not be purchased. If the dent is near the lid or where the can seams meet, do not purchase them, as they may be damaged in such a way that air (and possibly bacteria) may be able to enter the can.
- I found two plastic jars of Prego Pasta Sauce in my pantry that has a date of May 2007. Its unopened my husband seems to think its fine what is your opinion? Thank You, Anna
- In Canada that date would be a "Best Before Date" and the unopened pasta sauce should not be used after that date.
- Hi! I would like to know if I can eat a cooked meal that has been in the freezer for a year? Thank you!
- You can consume the meal without worrying about bacteria unless the food was temperature abused during preparation. However, the quality of the meal might ber affected; the taste may be different depending of the type of food and the way it has been wrapped for the freezer.
- What happens to salmon after it has been frozen 2 months and how come the fat fish has a much shorter freezer time and does the salmon go bad after 2 months in the freezer
- Fish which is fatty such as salmon should be stored in the freezer for only two months because after that time the fat in the fish will gradually turn rancid. It will be unpleasant to eat and may cause illness.
- Hi! Can we consume raw foods that have been frozen without cooking them once thawed? I am thinking about preparing sushis with that food as an example. Thank you!
- Bacteria and parasites are naturally present on seafood, and can vary depending upon the time of year the seafood is harvested. Although there are regional recipes that contain raw meat and seafood (such as carpaccio, sashimi, and ceviche), there is a significant risk in eating these foods and contracting a foodborne illness. Special care must be taken such as ensuring the fish is purchased frozen (freezing kills most parasites but not bacteria), purchasing from a reputable fish source, ensuring the fish is thawed in the refrigerator and not at room temperature or in the microwave, and consumed immediately (do not eat the leftovers). Raw proteins should not be eaten by young children, pregnant women, the elderly, or individuals with a compromised immune system.
- My son just called and said he ate half of a string cheese that expired a year ago. Could he get sick from that? Thanks
- To ensure wholesome, nutritious and safe food, foods should not be eaten past their expiration date. Your son should watch for signs of foodborne illness (such as stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever) and seek medical attention immmediately should these symptoms occur.
- How long can you leave an opened jar of mayonnaise before refrigeration?
- It's recommended that commercial mayonnaise be stored in the fridge after opening to retain the best quality and safety. Do not leave at room temperatures for periods longer than two hours.
- Is it still safe to eat unopened bologna from the grocery store if unrefrigerated over night...I forgot to put this one bag of groceries away and found it the next morning.
- Unopened bologna is perishable and should be discarded if left at room temperature longer than two hours (one hour in the summer).
- How do you know when fresh mushrooms go bad?
- When fresh mushrooms become slimy and discolored, they have spoiled and should be discarded.
- If I have leftovers with cooked clams or mussels - is it safe to eat them the next day reheated?
- Yes, it is safe to refrigerate leftovers made with cooked clams or mussels for one day.
- Can you freeze cooked/baked salmon?
- Cooked salmon may be frozen for as long as 4 to 6 months.
- how long are cupcakes good for? and should they be refrigerated?
- Frosted cupcakes are susceptible to mold growth, and may be stored refrigerated in a covered container up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
- I bought fresh mussels that were stored in ice at the supermarket. I could not find storage instructions and decided to freeze them. The next day, I removed them from freezer and noticed I was supposed to refrigerate them. Can they still be cooked or should I discard them?
- Yes, fresh mussels in the shell can be frozen but they should be blanched first in boiling water for 20 seconds; drained and packaged for the freezer. Once defrosted, they should be used within 48 hours.
- Hi Mrs. Cookwell, I am going to purchase Alaskan King salmon caught on the Yukon river nine months ago and flash frozen and vaccum packed. Once I get it, how long can I store it in my freezer? Should I buy a special freezer to keep this product? Thanks, Jennifer
- For best quality and safety, salmon, which is a fatty fish, should not be stored in a freezer for longer than two months.
- Hi! I would like to know how long would it take to thaw quarter wheels of cheese? What would be the fastest way? Thank you!
- Quarter wheels of cheese should be thawed in the refrigerator. How long they will take to thaw depends on the size and shape as well as the temperature of the refrigerator.
- How can i freeze a left-over ham without generating a lot of water when we thaw it? By the way, you have a very interesting site.
- It is safe to freeze ham. But because of the water content of ham, there is loss of quality when it is frozen. So freezing is not recommended. If it is necessary to freeze the ham, use the defrosted ham in cooked dishes.
- I would like to know if I could freeze some slabs of chocolate? Thank you!
- Yes, it is safe to freeze chocolate. Thaw in wrappings at room temperature. The bloom which develops during freezing should disappear.
- How long can I leave raw pork chops in the refrigerator before they go bad? How can I tell if they are bad?
- Raw pork chops can be refrigerated as long as 2 to 4 days. After that there will be a gradual loss of quality and spoilage may occur. But if harmful bacteria develop, they cannot be seen, smelled or tasted.
- If I have leftover shrimp and scallops from dinner one night how long do you have to eat them before they are no good?
- Leftover cooked shrimp and scallops can be refrigerated as long as 1 to 2 days.
- Hi Mrs. Cookwell I work for a very large well known company who delivers food for the elderly and the vulnerable local residents in my home town. My manager by mistake left the walk in freezer open over night for approx 18 hours. This resulted in the temperature rising to point 5 meaning it was like a fridge. The meals and sweets that are regenerated had clear signs of defrosting. I tried to raise a cause of concern but was ignored. She just closed the door to start the freezer back to freeze up to normal operation. What should have been the correct procedure as I was shocked by her actions?
- This is such a sensitive issue especially when the foods go to the elderly and the vulnerable local residents. Such actions should have been reported to local health authorities for further investigation and maybe avoid an outbreak of food poisoning. Once that said, it is possible that the food was still okay to refreeze; especially if there were still very cold with ice crystals still present on the food. You mentioned that there were clear signs of defrosting. Was it extensive? Did you see frost or ice crystal still present on the food? Let's just hope that you manage knew what she was doing.
- Do you need to keep smoke salmon in the fridge (canned)?
- As long as the can is not opened, you do not need to keep it in the refrigerator. However, once the can is opened, remove any left-overs from the can and put it in a plastic container to go in the refrigerator. Smoked salmon should keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days
- How long will cooked Salmon last in the frig?
- Cooked salmon will keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- This morning my breaker jumped at around 9 o'clock and there was no power until I came back at noon. Are there any riskd for the food in the freezer?
- When a power failure happened, foods that are present in a freezer would be fine for the next 24 hours unless the door got opened repeatedly. In your case, there should be no risks after only three hours without power.
- Can we freeze a cooked meat that was frozen while it was raw in the freezer? Thank you!
- If the raw meat has been thawed in the refrigerator and has been cooked properly then yes it can be frozen once cooked. Make sure that you will thaw it in the refrigerator once you need it again.
- I left an unopened package of bacon in the car overnight. It was about 40-45 degrees when I found it first thing this morning and it felt like it came out of the fridge. Is it still good? It set about 9 hours.
- Bacon is a perishable commodities that needs refrigeration. It has been kept above 4 degrees C (40 degrees F) for more than two hours. I should be thrown out.
- Can we freeze vacuumed glass jars of spaghetti sauce? If so, for how long?
- A along as your jars have enough head space to allow for the expansion of the liquid during freezing, you can freeze the sauce. it will keep that way for three months.
- I mistakenly left fully cooked breaded chicken fingers out of the freezer overnight. Are they safe to cook and eat or are they garbage?
- They should be garbaged. Food that are left at room temperature for more than two hours, one hour during warmer summer time presented a risk of food poisoning because harmful bacteria can develop even if the product has been fully cooked.
- Is there a risk of consuming raw salmon that has been well preserved?
- There is always a risk to consume raw salmon even if it has been well preserved. There could be presence of harmful bacteria or parasites. It is important to know the source of the salmon especially if we are preparing sushis.
- I accidently left frozen bags of organic strawberries and blueberries, broccoli and green beans on the cement basement floor for 24-48hrs. I refroze them and am eating a bag of the broccoli tonight. Can I expect to get sick? I hate to throw out $40.00 of the organic fruits and vegetables.
- This is a difficult question to answer and you might be the only judge of the situation. Once strawberries and blueberries are thawed, they must have been in pretty bad shape and with all the liquid coming out of them, the presence of the moisture; I just cannot recommend you to consume them. Mold probably started to invade them. As for the broccoli and grean beans, they could be fine if not too too watery but as I said at the beginning of my answer you might be able to judge that by yourself.
- we bought package of farmed salmon. there is a sell by date by no use by date. when can it be used by and can it be cooked and then frozen?
- Farm salmon can be used up to three days after the "sell by date" as long as it is kept refrigerated at all time. It can be cooked and then frozen.
- A product that have thawed for one hour; can it be refrozen?
- In general yes, if the product is extremely cold and still have ice crystals embedded in it!
- I have boneless skinless chicken breasts that I sat out late Wednesday night .. are they still safe to eat if I cook them today?
- If the boneless and skinless chicken breasts stayed out more than two hours at room temperature, they should be thrown out.
- What is the type of material suggested to freeze food (pouches, plastic container, aluminium foil or others?) Does the type ofmaterial will go witha given type of food (bread, meat, légumes, fruits and cheese. Thank you!
- The main goal fo freezing food is to extend their shelf life and to be able to eat them later on without running the risk of food poisoning if it is well handled. The type of container to use will go along with the physical type of food such a soup (liquid) a spaghetti sauce (semi liquid) or meat, fruits, vegetables (solids). Essentially, what you would like to do here is to avoid freezer burns and dryness of the food. The closer the wrapping is to the solid food the better to avoid dryness and freezer burns. To that effect, two to three layers of material would be indicate starting by a clear wrap and finish it off with aluminium wrap. Make sure that you identify and date the food put in the freezer to ensure proper rotation.
- I bought 2 lbs of tilapia fillets from a wholesale grocery store last Sunday around 5 pm and I forgot to take them out of the trunk of my car from 6pm to 10pm. The temperature outside was around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I had quickly frozen them after that but I wonder if it is still safe to eat it. Another thing is that the fish was kind of smelly but I don't know if it was just the regular smell of fish. When I bought the fish, it was not as white as I usually see them. They are slightly red in parts but as I check the dates on the package, it was all good and even still a week earlier than its "sell-by date". Please advise. I really appreciate it, Mrs. Cookwell!
- Even though the temperature was indicating 40 degrees F outside, it is not to say that it was the same temperature in the trunk of your car. That fish was most likely exposed at temperature above 4 degrees (40 degrees F) for more than two hours creating an hazardous product. On top of your description related to its appearance and its strong odour, I would not take any chance and would recommend oto throw it out.
- I bought some salmon yesterday put lemon on it but did not cook it leaving in the fridge overnight. Is it still alright to cook?
- Yes, your salmon should be good to cook the day after.
- If i open canned salsa, and only use a little bit, cap it and put it in the refrigerator right away, how long can it stay in there before becoming bad. This is for nacho cheese and salsa that is precanned from the store and not freshly made. Thanks.
- Your salsa would keep for two weeks in teh refrigerator once the container has been opened.
- Hello, I recently purchased some frozen pizza's which I inadvertly left out overnight for about 13 hours. At that point I put them in the freezer. Are they ok to heat and eat? I reckon that its processed meat and cheese anyway?! Thanks.
- I am afraid that your pizzas has spent to much time in the danger zone of temperature between 4 degrees C (40 degrees F) and 60 degrees C (140 degrees F) allowing them to thaw and to get possible growth of harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Refreezing the pizza would not change the situation. I would not recommend the consumption of those pizzas. They should be thrown out.
- Hi! I would like to know the internal cooking temperature recommended for some fishes such as cod or salmon (cooked in the oven). Thank you!
- For fishes, Health Canada recommends to cook it at an internal temperature of 70 degrees C (158 degrees F) held for 1 minutes measuring it with a digital thermometer at the thickest part of the fish.
- Bought a whole fresh crab at a meat market, kept it on ice for 4 hours returning home. Placed the package (less ice) on top of the fridge and forgot it until this morning. It's been 14 hours this way. Is it safe to eat? It smells great.
- This crab must be thown out. Harmful bacteria causing food poisoning do not give the food a bad odour or bad taste but their presence can make you very sick. This crab spent more than two hours at room temperature. It is not safe to eat.
- How long can we keep to<routs in the freezer?
- If the trouts are well wrapped, they will keep for two to three months in the freezer
- I accidentally put 3 cans of soup in to the freeze when I was putting the frozen juice away? Is it okey to eat after the soup in the can has been frozen? Thanks
- It depends. If you take those cans, thaw them in the refrigerator and use them right away, they should be fine. Frozen cans might loose their integrity and allow entry of harmful bacterial. It is very important to use them as soon as possible after being thawed in the refrigerator.
- Is it advisable to refreeze hot dogs after they have thawed?
- No it is not advisable to refreeze hot dogs unless the hot dogs did not thawed completely and you could still see some ice crystals in the package.
- a chicken salad wrap made with mayonnaise can stay in the fridge for how long?
- A chicken salad wrap with mayonnaise would keep in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
- Is it safe to eat rancid almonds cooked in a chicken casserole?
- It is not recommended to consume rancid almonds even in a chicken casserole. The oxydized fat in the almonds could cause short term and long term health problems if they kept on being consumed for long periods of time.
- Can cooked mussles be reheated and eaten next day if kept in the fridge overnight?
- Cooked mussels will be good to eat the day after if kept in the refrigerator overnignt. Once cooked they will keep for three days in the refrigerator.
- I forgot about a package of hot dogs I took out of freezer and it was left overnight on the counter. Is it safe to cook and eat?
- No,it will not be safe to cook and eat. Hot dogs are perishable foods that should be refrigerated at all time. It means that they should be thawed in the refrigerator at all time. It could be risky to serve them expecially if they are served to children. They have spent more than 2 hours at room temperature. Throw them out.
- I have a rabbit in the freezer. I will prepare it as jugged meat. If I have any left-overs, can I freeze them once they have been cooked.
- Ys, once cooked the left-over jugged meat can be frozen again.
- Hi! I pulled out grounded meat from the freezer Saturday at noon and put it in the refrigerator. We are Monday morning. Can I still cook that meat or is it too late? Thank you!
- The grounded meat should be fine to cook on Monday but that would be its last day. Once thawed, grounded meat should be cooked within 2 days.
- I have some vacuum packed smoked turkey in my refrigerator but the expiry date has passed. Can i still eat that meat?
- It is not recommended to eat expired product maily because of possible loss of nuttritional quality. Even if the meat looks good, it still can be a quality and perhaps a safety isssue.
- Can we freeze a salmon mousse containing mayonnaise?
- The product will keep in the freezer. However, once you thaw it in the refrigerator, there might be formation of liquid as mayonnaise will have tendency to separate. You might have to mix it well. Quality of the mousse might not be the same.
- How long can cooking oil, canola,etc. be stored after opening if kept in the refrigerator. Does it go bad and can it make you ill if kept for long periods? Thanks
- Cooking oil, canola oil once opened and kept in the refrigerator, they will keep for 12 months. it can eventually go bad once it is exposed to air at it will make them go rancid and give that soapy taste to oil. Rancidity could make you sick and be bad to your health if exposed for long period of time.
- How long can expired kraft lite sweet and saucy french dressing be used?
- It is not recommended to use product once they have passed their expiry date. Manufacturers ensure that their products will remain of good nutritious qualities and wholesome until that date but after that there could be loss of quality, product could get less nutritious and some health hazards could develop as well too.
- I had a large batch of marinara left over from a party. It was frozen all in one large batch. I would like to defrost it, use some and refreeze it in small batches. It does not have any meat it is a vegan sauce. Would this be safe?
- Freezing and thawing food repeatedly should be avoid as much as possible because everytime you do so, you risk of contaminating the product from one handling to another and quality of the food decreases as well. It is important to separate food in indvidual portion size before freezing it which is something that has not been done with this large batch of marinara. If you want to proceed, make sure that you are thawing the sauce in the refrigerator and proceed as quickly as possible. Don't let the marinara sit in the refrigerator for long period of time.
- I brought some eggs a few day ago and now they are frozen. is there any way i can still use them or do i have to throw them away?
- If you thaw the eggs in the refrigerator, you will be able to use them as long as they are used in recipes where they would be throrougly cooked such as cakes or bakery goods.
- I have two glass jars of commercially canned cherry pie filling. They are quite old but have never been opened and the "pop-up button" remains unpopped. However, the filling has darkened in color. Is this filling safe to use in pies?
- The cherry pie filling should be fine to use. The darkening of the color is probably related to the action of the light but if the seal haven't been broken, they should be safe to use.
- I broiled salmon on Thursday - will it be okay to eat the leftovers on Sunday?
- Cooked leftover fishes should be consumed within 2 days after being cooked as long as tehy have been refrigerated. In your case, upi have that time by one day.
- Hi! I want to know. I noticed that the freezer of one of my friends has molds inside here and there and we hate Merguez and Cipo that were frozen in them. I would like to know if there is a risks for me knowing that I am pregnant? Thank you!
- There should be no direct risks for you following consumption of these previously frozen and cooked foods before being consumed. However, your friend should clean the freezer and disinfect it.
- I microwave batches of rice to feed my dog quite regularly. I try to cool the rice as best I can. I take the lid off and usually stir it every now and then a couple times. I will try to leave it at least an hour. Sometimes it still has a bit of steam when I put it in the fridge. Is that okay?
- Absolutely! The faster you put cooked food in the refrigerator the better and that goes along for food destined to animals. To accelerate cooling down the food, separate in portion size in shallow containers and put in the refrigerator right away. Today's appliance are designed to accommodate hot food without influencing their internal temperature.
- My husband is a heart patient. I follow his diet carefully. Could you please tell me why it is harmful to consume (uncooked!) raw bulk weiners. I know there is a reason why, but I would like to know! Thank you!
- Since your husband is a heart patient, he is part of one of the four groups along with pregnant women, elderly and young children, that are considered more at risks or susceptible of contracting food poisoning from a food that would not cause problem to a fully healthy person. Raw bulk weiners could contain harmful bacteria such as Listeria that could make your husband sick because of his condition and most likely depressed immune system and with his condition could make matters worst.
- Salmon cooked in the oven, how long can you keep in the refrigerator to be safe to eat? We cooked it on Sunday, today is Thursday.
- Cooked fish such as slamon would keep in the refrigerator for up to two days. In your case, it might be a little bit late to consume it.
- I have some homemade jams. How long can i keep them?
- If your homemade jams were prepared accoroding to rules, tehy will keep for a year.
- Hi, I'd like to prepare salmon carpaccio, and eventually maybe sushi, ceviche and etc. I'd like to know how to choose, prepare and store raw seafoods in such a way as to ensure that they are safe to eat? I'm told to freeze my salmon in order to kill certain parasites, but how long must I freeze it for? Thanks for your help,
- Seafoods are foods that are extremely perishables and do have a very short shelf-life. So you would need to pick seafood as fresh as could be and get them from a reliable source. If you pick them frozen, make sure that you thaw them in the refrigerator to which they would last one to two days once thawed. Actually it is not recommended to eat seafoods raw but if you do it, it is at our own risks. As for the possible parasites in salmon, to kill them, the fish need to be frozen at minus 20 degrees C (-4 degrees F) for 7 days or at minus 35 degrees C (-31 degrees F) for 15 hours.
- I froze so oysters while they were still alive. I put them in the microwaves for 8 minutes until they were bubbling. After that, I let my oysters at room temperature for 45 minutes. Then, I took diluted soap in water and spreaded it on the oysters and put them in the freezer to thaw them in the refrigerator the day after. I grilled them on a skillet. Question: Can I refreeze those oysters and eat them in six months?
- The frozen oysters as any other frozen foods thawed in the micro-wave must be cooked shortly after. In your case the following freezing step could replace the cooking allowing to preserve the product. To the safety point of view, your oysters should not cause any problem. They seem to have been handled properly. Six months would be the maximum time already extended to keep the oysters in the freezer. It is possible that their qualité might diminish. Make sure that they are well wrapped in containers or with films that are fit for the freezer.
- I steamed some fresh baby carrots and then froze them. I defrosted them in the refridgerator overnight. Can I puree them, mix them with freshly cooked and pureed veggies, and then refreeze them again?
- There should not be any problem to freeze the newly made mix of vegetables. Just make sure that your handling is sanitary and the vegetables were not temperature abused during preparation and thawing.
- Hi! I would like to know if I can freeze raspberries. If so, how? How long? and how do I thaw them?
- Raspberries freeze well. Try to dry them as much as possible to get rid of some moisture. For best results and if possible, spread them on a tray and freeze them for 24 to 48 hours. They will freeze individually and not stick to one another. After that, you could transfer them in a container or plastic bag for freezer. They can be kept frozen for up to a year. They should be thawed in the refrigerator.
- I cooked fresh salmon and then placed in the freezer. How do I safely re heat the salmon without destroying the taste ?
- Thaw the salmon in the refrigerator and reheat it in the oven checking it from time to time until it is warm enough to taste.
- I left my margerine out on the counter overnight, will it still be safe to eat?
- Your margerine would be safe to eat. The water activity (water available for bacteria to grow) of that food commodity is so low that it will not allow the growth of bacteria. However the fat content could get oxydized with time and that would give the margerine a rancid taste to it.
- My refrigerator is too warm inside. I decreased somewhat the temperature of the freezer to allow my refrigerator to get colder. I would like to know waht temperature shoudl the freezer be ajusted? How about the temperature of the refrigerator? Thank you!
- The freezer should be set so its temperature does not get higher than minus 18 degrees C (0 degree F) (meaning does not get warmer). Temperature of the refrigerator should be at 4 degrees C (40 degrees F) or less.
- Hello, I kept a packet of tuna (shelf stable) in our refrigerator. We had a blackout and everything in the fridge had to be tossed... but I didn't toss the tuna and it has since come back to refrigerator temperature. Is it safe to eat? It has now been brought from room temp to refrig temp to room temp to refrig temp again. Thank you!
- If the product is a shelf stable product, was offered for sale at room temperature and has never been opened, it should be safe to eat. As long as the product kept its integrity, it should be alright.
- I left a bag of scallops on the counter overnight by accident. The bag was in a bag of ice. In the morning the ice was melted but the scallops were on the cool side. Is it alright to use them?
- Scallops are very perishable and shoudl have been kept at least at refrigerated temperatures. Overnight, there is a strong possibilities that they were exposed at temperature above 4 degrees C (40 degrees F) for longer than 2 hours. Throw them out.
- My son brought be a sealed package of frozen breaded chicken tenders. Instead of putting them in the freezer he put them in the refrigerator where they defrosted. He then took them out of the refrigerator and then sealed them again in an air tight bag and put them in the freezer. Should they be thrown out.
- If the breaded chicken tenders were not completely defrosted and they still had ice crystals present, it is fine to refreeze them. Otherwise, they should have been cooked before being refrozen. If you have any doubts, throw them oiut.
- After an extended power failure, I had to cook meat and fish that started to defrost. Can I refreeze them after been cooked?
- Absolutely! Once cooked, the meat and the fish can be frozen again.
- Hi! I have a new fridge and I am still struggling with finding the best temperature setting for it (I think it runs colder than it says it is). Over the last week, it has frozen milk, some fresh baby carrots (in a ready-to-eat bag), a box of clementines, and the pasta of a ready-to-eat pasta salad (with oil dressing). I am just wondering if these items are okay to consume, and how best to defrost them. I have increased the temperature of the fridge slightly, but they remain frozen - making it difficult to thaw them in the fridge! Thank you for your help! Kathryn
- Milk and the pasta for a ready-to-eat pasta salad with oil dressing should be fine to consume. You might have to mix the pasta quite well. Thaw everything in the refrigerator and you might have to move them on lower shelves. You could use the carrots in a dish (cooking them) as they might be too soft to eat like that. As for the clementines, they will be very soft and watery as freezing pull the liquid out. Hope that you will be able to deal successfully with the temperature of your new refrigerator. Refrigeration at 4 degrees C (40 degrees F) and freezing at -18 degrees C (0 degrees F).
- If I open a can of pink salmon and use only half of it can I seal-a-meal the rest and how do I store it. Thanks
- The leftover pink salmon would keep in the refrigerator for up to three days or if you freeze it, it will keep for two to three months.
- My daughter ate ham lunchmeat that was a week past expiration date and she was up all night throwing up. I am concerned as to what type of bacteria she caught if she will get any after effects from the mistake? She is in her own apartment and 19 yrs old but has some health issues
- It is not recommended to eat expired food for obvious reasons. The fact that your daughter threw up will help her to clear any food or toxins that could have been present in her system. At this point in time it is hard to tell what could be the bacteria involved. She should be able to recover completely from this bad episode. However, if she still feel sick in her condition, she should consult a physician without delays.
- Can we give frozen fish to an 11 months old child?
- It could way too soon to give fish to a young baby. Allergy wise, fish and seafoods are one of the nine most common food allergens known. It would not be recommend to feed a baby at this point.
- Hi! Purchase of a freezer; with frost built up or without frost; and why? Thank you!
- The purchase of a freezer without frost built-up is better to preserve food and to the maintenance of the appliance. There is no condensation, less frost that built up on the wall of the appliance and on the food itself. So there is less maintenance where a person would have to defrost the frezer to get rid of the frost built-up.
- Products call back list
- Consult your local newspaper to get the list of Maple Leaf meat products recalled or log on to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at the following address for the complete list.
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2008/list97be.shtml
- I have some cooked meat pâtés that have thawed. Can I refreeze them again.
- It is not recommended to refreeze cooked meat pâtés unless they are still partly frozen and they are some ice crystals present.
- I thawed some sausage meat and ground beef. I added oinons, parsley, garlic and spices. I stuffed tomatoes ans put it back in the freezer without cooking. I want to know if they are dangers to eat them even after cooking.
- The danger is real. You should have cooked them and then freeze them. It is not recommended to thaw raw meat and to freeze it again uncooked. There is handling time after a frist thawing et the grounded beef is such a perishable food commodity that there could be risks of food poisoning.
- My boss has recently acquired some stock of smoked, dried, vaccume packed salmon that he wants to sell. We know that it is at least 2 years old. Is it still good?
- It is hard to tell but I would have tendency to say that it could be risky to sell that two year old product. He should get more information from the supplier. Your boss is responsible for the product he sells and he might need to contact the local health authority to know his rights.
- I have a jar of readymade pasta sauce, that was refridgerated,how long will it keep in the fridge after opening?
- Once the jar of pasta sauce has been opened, it should keep in the refrigerator for 5 to seven days.
- Is it possible to freeze tofu? Thank you!
- Yes, it is possible to freeze tofu. If the packaging has not been opened, il will keep frozen for 3 months.
- I put my dozen eggs on the door of my fridge. What I didn't know was that my temp was all the way up so everything in my fridge froze. Can I still eat my eggs?
- The eggs should be used in a recipe where they will be fully cooked. Check your eggs for overly cracked one and throw those one out. It is not recommended to keep the eggs in the door of a refrigerator because it is not the coldest area. They should be kept in their own crate deep in the refrigerator at the coldest spot.
- Is it safe to re-freeze vegetarian sausages and vegetarian sausage rolls after a 5 hour car journey?
- If the sausages and the rolls were not maintained at 4 degrees C (40 degrees F) or less during that car journey, it will not be safe to freeze or even refreeze them.
- Can I freeze terrines and fish loaf made of fresh cream and eggs?
- It is possible to freeze those dishes but during thawing their quality might not be the same because some ingredeints might separate and more liquids will be present.
- Hi! I am a research journalist for the TV show l'Epicerie. We will make some taste test this week at the Jean-Talon's market on commerical marinated beets. Could you give me some guidelines to follow when the jar is opened. How long those preserves can keep before opening them (room temperature)? and once opened (refrigerator)? Would th time at room temperature be the same for homemade marinated beets if people follows sanitary rules? Thank you very much.
- if the jars of the commercialy marinated beets are not opened, they will keep at room temperature for 12 to 18 months. When the jar is opened, the beets would keep for 5 to 7 days or even more in the refrigerator depending of the acidity of the product. Before opening the jar, the lid and shoulders of the jar should be cleaned. When a jar gets open, you should be able to hear an aspiration sound witnessing the vaccum created during processing. Clean utensils should be used all the time. Homemade marinated beets should have the same keeping time than the commercial one if sanitary conditions are met and the recipe used is a reliable one.
- How much in advance can I prepare a salmon mousse for a party. It would be refrigerated at less than 40 degrees after preparation, but not frozen.
- Salmon mousse would keep in hte refrigerator for two to three days.
- How long can you keep cooked plain pasta in the fridge?
- Cooked plain pasta will keep for four days in hte refrigerator.
- Can we thaw flaked dough prepared in a roll, take the quantity (size) we need for our recipe and refreeze the left-over? If so, how many time can we thaw and refreeze it? Thank you!
- It is not recommended to freeze and thaw food repeatedly bacause that cycle could diminish the quality of the food and increase chances of conatamination by several handlings. It is much better to separate into single use portions before freezing them so the person can thaw out quantities needed.
- I had put a previously opened bag of tortilla wraps in the freezer. I just went to get one out, and they are still pliable. Why is that? I am now worried that my freezer may not be cold enough. I have a very large roast in there, and now I'm concerned that it may not have completely froze, or not froze properly.
- You might have to check the temperature of your freezer. It has to be at minus 18 degrees C (0 degree F) or less (colder). However it is possible that your tortilla wraps might be slightly flexible despite being in the freezer. Only the measurement of the temperature of your freezer will tell you if it is properly set and working as expected. If so, the roast will be fine.
- What are the best jars to use to freeze food in them for example Mason, Food Saver, etc. Merci!
- All jars that can be sterilized and where the lid gives a good seal can be used. Filling the jar is important and they should not be full as there is a need for headspace to allow for liquid to expand during the freezing process without breaking the jar.
- Can we freeze le Petit Quebec cheese? If so, for how long? Thank you!
- It is not recommended to freeze cheese. You could always do it but onec thaw, it will break into small piece easily and it quality would not be the same. If you plan to use the cheese in recipes then, you could probably freeze it.
- I make large quantities of seafood gumbo containing crab, shrimp, hot links, stewed tomates, garlic, onions etc. Sometimes the gumbo starts foaming as if it is spoiled. This has happened while it is still hot on the stove, and even if taken and placed in the refrig while still hot. My question is how can I tell if the seafood has gone bad if it doesn't smell. The shrimp will usually be packaged frozed cooked with the tail on and head off. I put directly into the pot after rinsing off with water. The crab will be fresh or previously frozen. I use both crab meat and the whole crabs cut up with the shells. Are there certain combinations of any seasonings that might cause this? Thank-you!
- if your ingredients used in your gumbo soup are fresh as you seem to describe here and it has been heat up properly on the stove, it should be fine to consume. The foaming must be related to the nature of the ingredients and their combination in the mix. Seafoods are highly perishable food commodities and by themselves they would keep in the refrigerator for two to three days. So it would be the same time for your soup.
- How long is canned salmon good for? If I cook it 10 minutes is it safe to eat?
- Commercially canned salmon should be safe to eat directly out of the can. The unopened can should keep for at least 2 years. If you cook it for 10 minutes, it will still be safe
- I bought lamb chops last June from the grocery store. I put them in the freezer as I arrived at home. Today (October 9), I am getting ready to thaw them in the refrigerator to eat them on Saturday. I have noticed that on the wrapping it is written "thawed product". I did not noticed that when i purchased it. Can i cook those chops without any health hazards? Thank you!
- Yousould not have any problem to cook and consume those chops as long as they have not been temperature abused and they have been put in the freezer as soon as you arrived home last June. You will be able to cook them and eat them after they have been thawed in the refrigerator.
- can we freeze a brook trout without eviscerating it? If so, how long would it keep like this in the freezer?
- It is recommended to eviscerate the trout before freezing it. Once eviscerated, it will keep for 3 months int he freezer.
- i have made a fish pie using tinned salmon. Can I re-heat the left overs the next day and eat them?
- If the leftover pie has been refrigerated in between meals, it will be okay to eat it the next day after heating it up first.
- My son likes to drink out of a 2 liter pop bottle and then not refrigerate it. He does not like carbonization so he lets it go flat. I am concerned that he has introduced saliva into the bottle and is not refrigerating it. Is this a problem??? Thank you.
- It is not very sanitary to drink out of the bottle especially if he is sharing that soft drink with someone else. It would be a problem if your son keeps the soft drink for a long period of time at room temperature. Soft drinks are high in sugar content and bacteria would have some difficulty to grow in such an environment. However, moulds and yeasts would find a way to grow and would do it faster when the product is kept at room temperature.
- I left a goodly amount of cheddar cheese out for a whole day and my husband threw it out. It was cool at night because it is fall and the temp. at night is 38 and we do not turn on the heater. Does the cheese go bad ?
- It depends how the cheese was handled. It could go bad or even make you sick idfit has been contaminate with harmful bacteria. Your husband did the right thing to my point of you. Cheese is a perishable food that need to be refrigerated within two hours of its purchase or use.
- Hi. I would like to know how long a baked strawberry pie would keep in the freezer? I froze it in the summer of 2007. Would it still be good.
- A frozen baked strawberry pie would usually keep that way for 6 months. In your case, the pie wold not represent a health hazard but its taste might be different because of the length of time it has been in the freezer.
- I cooked a large pot of meatballs, sausage, beef and pork in gravy and froze it. I defrosted it in the pot while re heating. Can I refreeze the left overs for another meal.
- You could always refreeze the leftovers if they were properly handled, thawed in the refrigerator and re-heated at the right temperature. However, it is not recommend to do that time after time after time. The best way to handle this is to separate the food in individual portion and freeze. Then you will have to thaw only the quantity you need for the meal.
- How long can we freeze a chicken that has its expiry date passed?
- If the whole chicken has been frozen before its expiry date, it will keep for a year. Chicken parts will keep frozen for six months. Make sure to thaw in the refrigerator.
- I have in the freezer for the two last years a wild boar tigh. Can I still eat it?
- You still can eat the wild boar tigh without any danger. However, it is possible that the meat willnot have the same quality then fresh meat especially of it dried oout or suffered freezer burns because it wasn't well wrapped before been put in the freezer.
- At what temperature should we keep a freezer. Thank you in advance for your answer.
- Temperature of a freezer should be set and kept at minus 18 degrees C (0 degree F) or colder.
- We left cooked fish out last night at room temp. is it still good to eat today.
- Absolutely not. That cooked fish has spent to much time at room temperature. Throw it out. Do not consume it. You may risk to suffer from food poisoning.
- I froze some fresh burbot. How long can I keep it frozen? One year, plus or minus? Thanks for answering me.
- It would be quite long to keep burbot frozen for a year. That fish like any fatty fish should be frozen for two to three months. You could always keep it frozen longer but its quality will diminish and tehre could be fat oxydation that would give a different taste to the fish.