Freezing continues to be the most appropriate means of preservation for your meat. When you buy it in bulk and want it to last a long time, this is the safest place to keep it. Thus, minced meat can be preserved in perfect conditions for three or four months. As for the slices of beef, lamb and pork, they can be kept for a whole year.
But very often, when you take meat out of the freezer, and especially poultry, you notice white spots on the skin. Is this normal or should I worry about it? How to explain the presence of these spots on frozen meat? Turning on.
Why do white spots appear on frozen meat?
Frozen meat – Source: spm
Have you ever taken meat out of the freezer (especially chicken) and noticed with astonishment that it was covered with white, sometimes even grayish spots? Do not be alarmed, this does not mean that the product is unfit for consumption. But it is important to understand where these spots come from. Indeed, there is a detail to take into account to correctly preserve meat at low temperatures.
In most cases, improper freezing of pieces of meat causes the appearance of these white spots. In other words, if your trays of meat are not carefully wrapped or if the slices have been frozen for a long time, it is very likely that spots will form on the meat. This phenomenon is commonly called: freezer burn. This can be explained by a lack of moisture: poorly packaged or stored for too long, meat can lose its moisture and “burn” on contact with air. Under such circumstances, white or gray spots begin to appear on meat products.
Good to know : Cuts of meat should always be wrapped in plastic wrap or paper specially designed for freezing. Because oxygen comes into contact with meat, the product loses its quality.
Can we eat meat in this state?
Basically, moisture/hydration loss and oxidation are two of the most common causes of changes in meat texture. This does not mean that the products are no longer edible. According to US agricultural experts, there’s no need to worry about that. Ultimately, the only difference between frozen-contaminated meat and uncontaminated meat is the level of hydration. The one infested with white spots is more dehydrated. Although there are no health risks, it will not taste very tasty. And this, regardless of the quality of the meat or the cooking time. So, if you don’t want your steak to be dry or tasteless, it’s best to carefully remove those visible white spots on the meat.
Can food stored in the freezer expire?
Food in the freezer – Source: spm
In most cases, freezing is a safe form of preservation. The exception is when you have frozen food that is already starting to go bad or has already thawed once. To preserve your health, it is also very important to remember that once thawed, food products should never be refrozen.
In addition, the conditions inside the freezer are also influenced by the hygiene of the products: if it is questionable, it can affect other foods and the appliance itself. Tell yourself that even in the freezer, there can be damage. Certain factors can alter your frozen products: poor packaging, lack of maintenance of the appliance, accumulation of frost, spills, bad odors, storage for too long… All of this can negatively affect the taste and flavor of frozen food. Finally, keep in mind that freezing does not preserve food indefinitely. Each type of food can be kept in the fridge for a certain time.
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