Meat and fish defrosted in freezer over 12 hours - Ask Extension
Hello, our freezer went out last night and the meat and fish defrosted over a 12 hour period. The chicken registered 40.8 degrees when we discovered i...
Knowledgebase
Meat and fish defrosted in freezer over 12 hours #888575
Asked October 23, 2024, 11:20 AM EDT
Hello, our freezer went out last night and the meat and fish defrosted over a 12 hour period. The chicken registered 40.8 degrees when we discovered it. Can we refreeze the meat and fish?
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Referencing the Ohio State University Extension fact sheet What to Do When Your Freezer Stops:
"As a general rule, completely thawed foods should not be refrozen. The quality will always be poorer, and spoilage might have taken place during the thawing and standing periods. Unfortunately, there is no home method to test whether a food is safe after thawing. Refreezing is always, to some extent, a calculated risk."
"Meats and poultry (uncooked) can be refrozen if the freezer temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the color and odor of the foods are good. Discard any items that are not refrigerator cold." If the meat or poultry has completely thawed but has been at 40 degrees Fahrenheit for less than 2 hours, consider cooking and eating immediately or cooking, cooling and then refreezing.
"As a general rule, completely thawed foods should not be refrozen. The quality will always be poorer, and spoilage might have taken place during the thawing and standing periods. Unfortunately, there is no home method to test whether a food is safe after thawing. Refreezing is always, to some extent, a calculated risk."
"Meats and poultry (uncooked) can be refrozen if the freezer temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the color and odor of the foods are good. Discard any items that are not refrigerator cold." If the meat or poultry has completely thawed but has been at 40 degrees Fahrenheit for less than 2 hours, consider cooking and eating immediately or cooking, cooling and then refreezing.
