Food Storage Hygiene and Safety

• Can I defrost meat at room temperature?

  No – it's not safe to do that. Room temperature is the ideal temperature for bacteria to grow and multiply. Even if it's sealed in a bag. So defrost your meat in the fridge or in a bowl of cold water – and make sure it's still in its vacuum pack.

• Can I defrost my meat in a microwave?

  Not really. Only do it if you absolutely have to. Because the slower you defrost your meat the better it'll taste. That's because the faster it's defrosted the more moisture, flavour and texture it loses. Most microwaves both defrost – and cook food – unevenly. So some parts will still be fro...

• Can you put a partly frozen piece of meat in the oven to cook?

  Definitely not.

• Does freezing kill bacteria?

  No. Freezing at -18°C doesn't kill all bacteria, yeasts, or moulds in your food. Nor does it kill the spores they produce. It simply stops them from growing and multiplying. When you defrost your meat any surviving organisms start growing and multiplying again – and any bacterial spores begin ...

• Freezer-burn – what it is and how to avoid it

  Freezer-burn is just a fancy name for freeze-dried. No one calls instant freeze-dried coffee “freezer burned coffee”. But that's exactly what it is. Your freezer does two things: It can either freeze your food, locking in the moisture and nutrients – or it can freeze-dry your food. It's especia...

• How long can you keep meat in a freezer?

  In theory, food will last indefinitely in your freezer – and still be safe to eat. Well packaged, meat can last well over a year in a freezer with no deterioration in quality, flavour, or texture. As a rule large joints last longer in the freezer than small cuts like steak. While sausages and m...

• How to re-freeze meat that's been defrosted?

  A common misconception is that you should never, ever, re-freeze your meat after it’s been defrosted. Actually, it's perfectly safe to re-freeze your meat as long as you do it correctly. Re-frozen meat might not be quite as tasty as meat that's only been frozen once. That's because when it's r...

• How to tell if the meat in your fridge has gone off?

  Beef that's gone off will feel sticky and slimy. It's because bacteria have started to grow and colonise the surface. Another sign that meat has gone off is the smell. If it has an unpleasant odor it might be off. But remember, meat that's come straight out of a vacuum pack will naturally have a...

• How to tell the difference between spoilage bacteria – and dangerous bacteria?

  Spoilage and pathogenic bacteria are found in most meats. Spoilage bacteria change the smell, colour, and taste of meat – but usually don't affect safety. Pathogenic bacteria are different and dangerous. They don't change the smell, appearance, or even the taste of your meat – despite the prese...

• My meat has turned a brownish-grey colour – what do I do?

  When raw meat changes to a brownish-grey colour it’s usually because it's been exposed to oxygen. Exposure to oxygen changes the colour of the meat. It's a normal part of the meat aging process and not necessarily a sign of spoilage. To prevent it from happening keep your meat frozen – or store...

• What’s the correct way to defrost meat in the fridge?

  If your meat's not already sealed, put it in a leakproof bag, squeeze all the air out, and put it in a bowl of cold water – then put it into the fridge. You should be especially careful when putting raw meat in the fridge. Make sure it NEVER comes into contact with any ready-to-eat food. And al...

• What temperature must you set your freezer to?

  Temperature is crucial to storing food safely – especially meat. A freezer must run at -18 °C as a minimum. This inhibits the growth of bacteria and shuts down any other microbes, such as yeasts and moulds. It also keeps your frozen food fresher for longer – as long as they're kept in an airtigh...

• Where to store meat in your fridge?

  When you store meat in a fridge the bottom shelf is the best place to do it. It's generally the coolest part of the fridge and it's the least likely part to gain heat when the door's opened and closed. It also prevents the meat from dripping onto other food. The bad news is, that most domestic f...

• Why does dry-aged beef smell different?

  Dry-aged beef has a stronger smell than beef that's not been dry-aged. It's caused by the natural enzymatic and bacterial changes that occur during the aging process. These changes give the meat a deeper and more complex flavor. It's a flavor that many people find more appealing. During the agi...

• Why does my meat smell funny when I open the vacuum pack?

  Even if you've followed all the correct storage procedures, if, when you open the freezer bag, the meat looks odd or smells odd don't panic. Bear in mind, that all meat that comes out of a vacuum pack will have a faint odor to it at first – it's normal. Because, as the meat ages it gives off a g...