Meat - safe to regress if thawed?
I have a freezer full of meat - chicken, steaks, sausage, hot dogs, etc. Had a power surge and the freezer went out, could have been one or even two days before I discovered it. The meat was thawed. Freezer working again, can I refreeze? Would any of the meat be safe?
4 Comments
HappygoinSeptember 25, 2020
I’m inclined to agree with Nancy. If meat is only partially thawed, or has been thawed in the fridge, it’s one thing. Usually it’s only the texture that suffers.
But if it was completely thawed, I hate to say this, but I’d throw it out. My feeling is, when in doubt throw it out.
If it makes you feel any better, when I was a girl, my father unplugged the chest freezer (full of meat) to use the three-prong plug, since we apparently only had one.
You guessed it, he forgot to put it back and plug in the freezer when he’d finished using the plug. Everything had to be thrown out. I don’t think Mom spoke to Dad for a week.
But if it was completely thawed, I hate to say this, but I’d throw it out. My feeling is, when in doubt throw it out.
If it makes you feel any better, when I was a girl, my father unplugged the chest freezer (full of meat) to use the three-prong plug, since we apparently only had one.
You guessed it, he forgot to put it back and plug in the freezer when he’d finished using the plug. Everything had to be thrown out. I don’t think Mom spoke to Dad for a week.
BougieSeptember 26, 2020
Thanks very much. I was afraid that might be the case!
NancySeptember 25, 2020
Bougie - I'm sorry to report, but I think all your meat is unsafe to eat.
I remember a winter storm a few years ago when we lost power for several days, and heard some things might be safe if one kept the doors closed.
But that may have been non-meat items.
Have a look at this clip from a USDA chart. And maybe look for more info if you want to doublecheck.
https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/food-safety-during-power-outage#:~:text=As%20the%20USDA%20notes%20in,after%204%20hours%20without%20power.
I remember a winter storm a few years ago when we lost power for several days, and heard some things might be safe if one kept the doors closed.
But that may have been non-meat items.
Have a look at this clip from a USDA chart. And maybe look for more info if you want to doublecheck.
https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/food-safety-during-power-outage#:~:text=As%20the%20USDA%20notes%20in,after%204%20hours%20without%20power.
BougieSeptember 26, 2020
Thanks very much; I will just start tossing. 😢
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