Yes, some of us are guilty of storing frozen foods for extended periods.
And like many of us who are, freezer burn is not an unusual sight. So, what is it? And how can we prevent it from happening?
Freezer burn is the process of losing moisture because of improper storage practices such as poor wrapping or prolonged storage. When part of the meat shows some discoloration, a dry spot or when it looks parched, you find yourself staring at a bad case of freezer burn.
On a molecular level, here’s how freezer burn takes place:
Inside your freezer, water molecules tend to migrate to the coldest part inside the enclosed compartment. So, when a part of your frozen food is exposed to the elements inside, moisture leaves the exposed part, drying it out.
But still, storing your food inside the freezer for longer periods could still dry out your frozen item, albeit slowly. It’s because these water molecules can still find their way out of the over time. Freezer burn also happens when your freezer’s temperature intermittently reaches zero degrees Fahrenheit or above.
Usually, food subjected to freezer burn is still safe to eat, but is not recommended. It is because the first thing you’ll notice is a loss of flavor and texture of your food. It is for this exact reason why frozen food suppliers follow the strictest food safety and storage standards to keep their frozen food products as close to being as fresh as possible.
So, how do we minimize freezer burn?
One obvious solution is to wrap your food items properly, preferably in plastic or airtight containers. Also, follow that first-in-first-out guideline when storing your food. The latest one you place inside your freezer should always be the last one to be used. Lastly, do not store your food items beyond the recommended storage time to maintain freshness.
Visit us www.frozenfoodsuppliers.com.au
Point400 Mountain Road (PO Box 249)
Gembrook, Victoria, Australia, 3783
Phone : (03) 5968 1540
Fax : (03) 5968 1560
sales@mountainharvestfoods.com.au
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