DID YOU KNOW? How Long You Can Freeze Food Before It Goes Bad

Okay, well this one may be a little dated!

We freeze food like everyone else, and sometimes question how long it will keep. Of course, when
my (Rob) mom passed in 2013, I found something in the back of her freezer dated 2007 and was a little horrified. Turns out, I didn't need to be. Some frozen food will outlive you.  Here's an article  that explains about freezing food.

HOW LONG CAN YOU FREEZE FOOD BEFORE IT GOES BAD?
  According to the USDA, “Because freezing keeps food safe almost indefinitely, recommended storage times are for quality only,” says the USDA. “Food stored constantly at 0 degrees Fahrenheit will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.” 

    Online charts are  still helpful, but they’re simply suggesting the optimum freezing times for the best quality, not for safety. For example, a frozen banana will be safe to eat until the end of your lifetime, but it’ll only taste good and maintain its white color and creamy texture for about 3 months.

    The USDA explains why freezing is a safe method of storage: “Freezing keeps food safe by slowing the movement of molecules, causing microbes to enter a dormant stage. Freezing preserves food for extended periods because it prevents the growth of microorganisms that cause both food spoilage and foodborne illness.” Freezing also inactivates any bacteria, yeasts and molds that may be found in your food. (Just remember that once you thaw your food, these microbes can become active again.)

  Below are the USDA’s freezer guidelines, and below that is an additional guide from FreezerLabels.net that includes more ingredients. If you’re looking for a food that’s not listed on any of the charts below, the USDA offers some tips that’ll help you determine a food’s quality:

• First check the odor. Some foods will develop a rancid or off odor when frozen for too long, and should be discarded.
• Some may not look picture perfect or be of high enough quality to serve alone but may be edible; use them to make soups or stews.

Item	Months
Bacon and Sausage	1 to 2
Casseroles	2 to 3
Egg whites or egg substitutes	12
Frozen Dinners and Entrees	3 to 4
Gravy, meat or poultry	2 to 3
Ham, Hotdogs and Lunchmeats	1 to 2
Meat, uncooked roasts	4 to 12
Meat, uncooked steaks or chops	4 to 12
Meat, uncooked ground	3 to 4
Meat, cooked	2 to 3
Poultry, uncooked whole	12
Poultry, uncooked parts	9
Poultry, uncooked giblets	3 to 4
Poultry, cooked	4
Soups and Stews	2 to 3

 Source: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-long-freeze-food-safety_us_5a5511ebe4b003133ecd23f8?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=__TheMorningEmail__011018&utm_content=__TheMorningEmail__011018+CID_36bee9001dcb80dd94cf6ed718831a1a&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=HuffPost&ncid=newsltushpmgnews__TheMorningEmail__011018