refreezing

[TinaSwarr]

did a search but didnt come up with anything. here is what i have in mind...I have a freezer full of meat birds we processed, whole uncut we use mostly roasters.....so now my brother wants some for cookouts, can i thaw in frig so i can cut them up for him, he would most likely want to refreeze,,,,Is this safe as long as i do not let them sit out to long.

 

[al6517]

Very tricky slope on that one, some will yes it's Ok, others will say no. I personaly would just say to him cut them up upon defrosting it only takes a min and is the safest route, and it will give him options to BBQ qtr's, half's or total cut pieces.

AL

 

[Judy]

Agree with above. Food handlers' rules say no, but certainly people do it. Not that difficult to thaw then cook if you're going to cook the whole chicken. You will no doubt increase the number of salmonella by refreezing before cooking -- which supposedly are then killed when the meat is fully cooked.

 

[caspernc]

I would buy him a pair of chicken shears and tell him how to snip them apart. I love my shears. I do worry about cutting off a finger though.

 

[HLAC]

Yes, it's safe.

Meat loses quality when refrozen. It doesn't suddenly become disease ridden.

 

[carolinagirl58]

According to the USDA, it's OK t refreeze meat if it has been thawed in the refirgerator.


"Once food is thawed in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze it without cooking, although there may be a loss of quality due to the moisture lost through thawing. After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods. If previously cooked foods are thawed in the refrigerator, you may refreeze the unused portion. Freeze leftovers within 3-4 days. Do not refreeze any foods left outside the refrigerator longer than 2 hours; 1 hour in temperatures above 90 °F.

If you purchase previously frozen meat, poultry or fish at a retail store, you can refreeze if it has been handled properly."

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/focus_on_freezing/index.asp#14

 

[al6517]

Being handled properly is the real question.

 

[33yardbirds]

My Grandmother worked in food her whole life and never refroze food, My mother doesn't and everyone I know doesn't. So I don't. I agree with the post that your brother can cut them up as he needs them.

 

[arabianequine]

Most meat you buy at the store has already been frozen then what do you do with it when you get home? Refreeze it right.....ain't none of died yet from that that I know of.