Vacation and moving care, Short vacations, Usda

STORING FROZEN FOOD

The freezer section ISdesigned for storage of corn- mercrclly frozen foods and for freezing foods at home

Packaging -The secret of successful freezing IS

In the packogrng The wrap you use must be olr. moisture and vapor proof The way you close and seal the package must not allow olr, moisture or vapors in or out

Rrgrd polyethylene (plastic) contarners wrth tight-

fitting lids, straight-srded canning freezing jars, heavy-duty alumrnum forl. plastic-coated paper and

non-permeable plastrc wraps [such as Saran) are

recommended Note Heat-sealed borlrng bags are easy to use and can be used by themselves or as carton loners

IMPORTANT: Do not expect your freezer to qulck- freeze any large quantlty of food. leave enough

space for alr to circulate around packages. Be careful to leave enough room at the front so the door can close tlghtly.

Ice Cream Store In the freezer Once the pack- age is opened, place a prece of aluminum fol or waxed paper smoothly against the ice cream sur- face This will prevent ice crystals from formrng

Packaged Frozen Food Store on freezer door shelf or in the freezer If you plan to store it for a long trme, re-wrap it wrth alumrnum foil or plastic wrap.

Frozen Meats- The following hints will help keep the quality in Your frozen meats

1.Freeze meat whrle fresh and In top condrtron

2.Use only recommended wrapping materials

3.Prepare the meat for freezing before wrap- ping It. Trim off excess fat and remove bones when practical Meat should not be salted because salt shortens freezer life

4.Wrap tightly. pressing out as much air as possible

5.Label and date It

6.Refreezrng thawed meat ISnot recommended

Frozen Soups, Juices Store on freezer door shelf or In the freezer

STORAGECHARTFORFROZENFOOD Storage times given in this chart are only a

guide. For best use of freezer space, keep fro- zen foods for short times. Use, then replace as needed.

Bread	..........................			2months
Cooked		Dishes		2-3	months
Fish and		Seafoods		6 months
Fresh		. :
Commercially			Frozen	...... l-3	months
Fruits				6months
Ice Cream					1 month
Concentrated			Juice	4-6	months
Meats				Less than	1 month
Bacon		................
Pork	roasts,		chops	3-4	months
Sausage				l-2	months
Beef,	veal.		lamb roasts	....... 6 months
Ground		meat		l-2	months
Poultry		.....................		3-4	months
Vegetables			....................	6months
I

‘Courtesy of Notional Lrvestock and Meat Board ant

USDA

Vacation and moving care

Short vacations. . .

No need to shut off the refrigerator If you WI/I be away for less than four weeks Use up perrshables, freeze other Items. If your refrigerator IS equrpped with an automatrc Ice maker, 1) turn It off 2) shut off the water supply to the Ice maker. 3) empty the Ice brn.

Long vacations. . .

Remove all the food if you are going for a month or more. If Your refrigerator IS equipped wrth an automatrc Ice maker, turn off the water supply to

the Ice maker at least a day ahead When the last load of Ice drops, turn off the Ice maker

Unplug the refrigerator and clean It rinse well and dry Tape rubber or wood blocks to both doors keeping them open far enough for arr to get In

This ~111keep c&or and mold from burldrng up

WARNING: Tape blocks out of a child’s

reach...do not allow children near the refrigerator when the doors are blocked open. They may become injured or trapped.

To restart refrigerator, see “UsrngYour Refrigerator ’