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Frozen food - how long?

[Replies: 3]
Last Post Jul 28, 2008 2:14 PM by: Chef Bill
 
Chef Bill
Posts: 424

Re: Frozen food - how long?

Posted: Jul 28, 2008 2:14 PM
Hi Riff Raff,

To answer your question, "Why not?":

I use the Food Storage Guidelines from the test kitchen at, "Taste of Home" for processed meats which also include:
Bacon,
Frankfurters,
Ham (fully cooked half),
luncheon meats,
sausage (smoked)

All of these have a freezer life of 1 to 2 months. The reasons for the shorter storage time is because of the word, "processed" which is added chemicals that have been determined to break down after extended frozen storage. This breaking down down can affect taste, nutritional value, and appearance.

Would the ham in question be safe to eat after a year in the freezer? That's not my judgement call. I would not serve it for the previously listed reasons.

Hope this answers your question!

Chef Bill

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Riff_Raff
Posts: 80

Re: Frozen food - how long?

Posted: Jul 28, 2008 11:27 AM
> Processed meat, in your case a ham...and if it is a
> fully cooked half...should not be stored in a freezer
> for more than 1 to 2 months.


Why not?

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Chef Bill
Posts: 424

Re: Frozen food - how long?

Posted: Jul 28, 2008 9:52 AM
Hi djsaefke,

Processed meat, in your case a ham...and if it is a fully cooked half...should not be stored in a freezer for more than 1 to 2 months.

Fresh meats like steaks and roasts can be stored in a freezer for 6-12 months providing your freezer is at 0 degrees fahrenheit or about -18 degrees centigrade.

As I was taught many years ago, "If in doubt, throw it out!" That would be my recommendation.

Welcome to the community!

Chef Bill

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djsaefke
Posts: 1

Frozen food - how long?

Posted: Jul 27, 2008 10:44 PM
I have had a frozen ham for over a year, is it still good to cook up and eat?

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