STORING FROZEN FOOD
The freezer section IS designed for storage of com-
merctally frozen foods and for freezing foods at
home
Packaglng
-The secret of successful freezlng IS
tn the packaging The wrap You use must be air.
moisture and vapor proof The way you close and
seal the package must not allow arr, moisture or
vapors In or out
Rrgid polyethylene (plastic] containers with tight-
frtttng lids, strarght-sided canning freeztng tars.
heavy-duty alumrnum foil, plastic-coated paper and
nonpermeable plastic wraps [such as Saran) are
recommended. Note Heat-sealed borlrng bags are
easy to use and can be used by themselves or as
carton liners.
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 tightly.
Ice Cream
Store in the freezer Once the pack-
age IS opened, place,a piece of alumrnum fort or
waxed paper smoothly against the Ice cream sur-
face. This ~111 prevent Ice crystals from forming
Packaged Frozen Food
Store on freezer door
shelf or in the freezer. If you plan to store It for a long
time. re-wrap it with 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 condition.
2. Use only recommended wrapping materials
3. Prepare the meat for freezing before wrap-
prng it. Tram off excess fat and remove bones
when practical. Meat should not be salted
because salt shortens freezer life
4. Wrap tightly, pressrng out OS much air as
possible
5. Label and date it
6. Refreezing thawed meat IS not recommended
Frozen Soups, Juices
Store on freezer door
shelf or In the freezer
STORAGE CHART FOR FROZEN FOOD
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
Fresh ......................... 6months
Commercially Frozen ...... l-3 months
Fruits ........................... 6months
Ice Cream ....................... 1 month
Concentrated Juice .......... 4-6 months
Meats
Bacon ................ Less than 1 month
Pork roasts, chops .......... 3-4 months
Sausage .................... 1-2 months
Beef, veal, lamb roasts ....... 6 months
Ground meat ................ l-2 months
Poultry ..................... 3-4 months
Vegetables .................... 6 months
I I
‘Courtesy of Notional Lrvestock and Meat Board and
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 perishables.
freeze other Items If your refrigerator
IS
equipped
with an automatic ice maker, 1) turn It off, 2) shut off
the water supply to the Ice maker, 3) empty the Ice
bin.
Long vacations. . .
Remove all the food if you are gorng for a month
or more. If your refrrgerator IS equipped wrth an
automatic Ice maker, turn off the water supply to
10
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 ..rrnse well
and dry Tape rubber or wood blocks to both doors
..keeprng them open far enough for air to get In.
This
will
keep odor and mold from building 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 “Using Your Refrrgerator