Confused - Frozen Meat Past It's Due Date Safe or Not?

[Pinkzy]

My mum gave me a whole heap of packaged (vacuum sealed) bacon the other day which has been frozen since she bought it. The Use By date says 29/10/2009. It's been frozen since before then and is still frozen now.

I just defrosted some of it and it's thawed out completely so can I cook it? I've googled meat safety and can't find much info about meats that are frozen before their use by date:confused::confused::confused:

Mum says it is perfectly safe to eat because it was frozen before it's use by date and because it's been in the freezer less than 6 months. Is she right?

[delirium]

If the meat wasn't off when it was frozen then it won't be off defrosted. I would say it should be ok but just give it a wiff :laughing:

[Pinkzy]

Just realised I put "due date" in the title instead of "use by date". Baby brain :laughing:

[Pinkzy]

Cool thanks Delirium - it smells and looks perfectly OK :)

[BigRedV]

I would use it as long as it was frozen before the use by date.

[JabberJaw]

:yes: your mum is right.

I often buy meat and things that are marked down and chuck them in the freezer, they are fine, the used by date means ' in its fresh state' like how you buy it. As long as it was frozen its fine.

[SalTheGal]

My freezer is FULL of meat frozen before its use by date... but now past its use by date... its absolutely ok to use!

[Myztik]

It'll be fine :D

[Pinkzy]

Thanks all :)

My cheese chive and bacon muffins are baking away!

[Fuchsia!]

:yes: your mum is right.

I often buy meat and things that are marked down and chuck them in the freezer, they are fine, the used by date means ' in its fresh state' like how you buy it. As long as it was frozen its fine.
Yep same here.

I don't use meat after 3mths in the freezer though.

[~BEXTER~]

I thought you could only keep meat frozen for 3 months?

Apart from that I would use it, It was frozen before it went off.

[*Cj*]

If it is vacuum sealed you would get longer to use it. Thats how come i love my vacuum sealer.

[Pinkzy]

I thought you were only supposed to keep it for 3 months too but mum kept saying it's 6 months?

I remember seeing somewhere it depends on the meat and whether it's poultry, seafood etc.

[Kangaskippy]

I think 6mths is the limit for most meats if they are frozen before used by date...my freezer door has them all listed, lol...enjoy!

[bada]

There's no way I would eat that :no::no::no::no::no:

























but I'm a vego :D

[Pinkzy]

:laughing:

[*Cj*]

Have a look here (http://www.csiro.au/resources/Storage-Life-Of-Foods--ci_pageNo-3.html) for more info.

The storage life of foods csiro

[Kangaskippy]

Not sure if this helps, but has some info...

Storage Chart (http://www.storeitfoods.com/shelf-life)

[Pinkzy]

Thanks lots CJ & Kangaskippy - have bookmarked them :)

[JabberJaw]

I have a big chest freezer and the usually one on the fridge.

Stuff lasts longer in the big chest freezer from what i understand, but honestly we never have stuff in our fridge or freezer long enough to perish :laughing: If i had meat that was say 6 month old, i would give it to hubby for crap pot bait, but hardly think it will happen this lifetime :D