Stressing over my meat......yeah, strange.

[luvmychicknkids]

As many know, with the ice storms my power was off for a bit over a week. When it went out I had quite a bit of meat in my freezer (not a "freezer", but the freezer on my side by side fridge). There was not a HUGE amount, but a couple of roasts, some steaks, ground beef and deer, ham, etc. All was piled togehter on one shelf. My house stayed at around 40 degrees the entire time so it was very cold in here. I opened the freezer twice to check and the day the power came back on the meat was stilll VERY cold (like ICE cold) but thawed. I let it all re-freeze which took only a couple of hours since it was still so cold. So, my question, can we still eat it? It is all sealed tight in air proof bags from the butcher. I ALMOST feel safe but I keep going back and forth. The thought of throwing it all out makes me shudder, however.

 

[debilorrah]

I would say it is ok as long as it didn't get throughly warm and stay that way for more than 2 hours. We get pwoer outages here alot, and I have never had a problem with the meat, even partially thawed.

 

[FrenchHen]

I'd eat it, but not necessarily serve it to other folks.
Folks buy "fresh" fish (frozen then thawed) then refreeze it all the time unknowingly, and they're fine.

I have a food handler's license, that's why I'm paranoid about serving others.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

I think what worries me the most is my kids will be eating it too. I never worry about thawing an re-freezing meat as I know it is safe. It just seemed like such a long time....however, to be as cold as it still was it couldn't have been thawed most of that time. Thanks guys.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

How long was your power out? If it was still really cold, and doesn't look like it's changed colors (i.e. turned really dark brown or green) then I would say, probably ok, but my first thought it cook it and feed it to the dog!

 

[WalkingWolf]

Yes you can still eat it it will be fine. Meat sometimes is frozen in shipment and then the shopper refreezes it does not hurt it unless it is exposed to air. And then it dries the meat. It would be different if the meat had gotten warm. With 40 degree temps in the house and in a freezer I doubt the meat ever became completely thawed.

 

[FrenchHen]

The food service "danger zone" is longer than 2 hours between 40 and 140 degrees.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

The power was out a week and two days. however, the ice maker was full of ice when it started and we kept it closed. With the house at 40 degees and the freezer closed I doubt it ever got that warm in there. I checked about halfway through the week and most of the meat felt hard (frozen) still.

 

[BirdBoy88]

Hey Christy i found this.. i don't know much about it myself but i hope this helps

In case of a power outage:

* Don't taste food to see if it's safe. Instead, examine each food item separately.
* Food can be refrozen if the food still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
* Always keep meat, poultry, fish, and eggs refrigerated at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and frozen food at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
* The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
* Use dry or block ice to keep your refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Quote:
Thanks, Mark. Hmmmmm.....well, only a week longer than they think is safe!!! LOL I don't think they counted on such a cold house though.

I am certain the meat wasn't 40 degrees. It all looks good at least through the packages. I will know more by smelling it suppose.