Freezer burn will occur when your frozen food such as fish, meat etc. loses its water moisture due to the exposure to cold or dry air inside your freezer to become hydrated.
This frozen food is now surrounded with frosty ice on the food surface and eventually manifests as whitish or grayish patches on the surface of frozen food that may feel dry and leathery to the touch.
This causes changes in texture and appearance of the food but does not ruin your food by making the food unsafe to eat. It is important to know how and where to store your fish in the fridge for prolonged freshness.
Can freezer burn give you diarrhea or make you sick?
Freezer burn does not cause diarrhea, does not make you sick or any gastrointestinal issues. Diarrhea is caused by infections virus, bacteria, parasitic infections, consumption of contaminated water while freezer burn, on the other hand is simply a quality issue and not a health risk.
It does not ruin your food by introducing harmful pathogens that lead to diarrhea into your food.
Bacteria growth on freezer-burned food
Bacterial growth on freezer burned food or meat at freezer temperature is very possible because of the evaporated moisture in the food leaving it dehydrated and exposed to air.
This creates an environment for bacteria to thrive but the risk of food poisoning from consuming the freezer burned food is low.
Changes in quality in terms of flavor, texture and taste according to WebMD will be affected by the freezer burn but you do not need to panic if you come across a freezer burned food as it is very safe to eat.
Freezer Burn vs. Ice Crystals
Ice crystals are formed on frozen food or meat during the process of freezer burn, both caused by the exposure to cold dry air. While freezer burn specifically is refers to the dehydration of the food surface, ice crystals form naturally within the food structure.
The impact of freezer burns on food safety and restaurants
Freezer burn does not pose any health risks as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirms that eating freezer-burned food or meat will not cause any food poisoning or foodborne illnesses.
However, can have an adverse effect in terms of waste, customer dissatisfaction, financial losses in restaurants and other commercial settings because of food waste, its discoloration, undesirable odor, and degradation of flavor. Learn to get rid of freezer born taste here.
Symptoms of eating freezer burned food
Eating freezer-burned food may result in subpar dining experience firstly, due to the affected portions of the food having a slightly different flavor because of dehydration process and secondly becoming dry and tough altering the usual texture of the food.
Always keep in mind that eating freezer burned food does not hurt or pose any harm to you or any individual consuming the affected food as it is entirely safe to eat. Be vigilant to know when your fish goes bad.
Preventing Freezer Burn
Apart from knowing how long you can keep your food items in the fridge, here are the following to minimize or prevent freezer burn.
- Use airtight containers, freezer-safe bags, and plastic wrap to reduce air exposure which will ensure proper packing.
- Label your frozen food with dates and use a first-in first-out system to consume older food.
- Keep your freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or lower to prevent thawing and refreezing contributing to freezer burn.
Frequently asked questions
Can Freezer Burn Be Reversed?
Since freezer burn involves moisture loss, it cannot be reversed as the damage is already due to moisture loss. Proper storage practices can prevent it from happening in the first place. However, freezer burn taste can handled. You can learn how to get rid of freezer born taste here.
How to Get Rid of Freezer Burn Taste
The process of getting rid of freezer burn taste cannot be achieved completely but you can improve the overall quality by trimming of the affected areas before cooking or consuming the food.
A freezer burned meat cannot be completely saved but can still be consumed by trimming off the affected areas before cooking to help improve its quality as suggested by Well +Good.
Though freezer burn affects the quality of frozen food, it does not pose any health risk as it remains safe to consume. We can all enjoy our food without worrying if we practice proper storage techniques.
Remember that freezing food at the right temperature, use of airtight packaging, labelling, and rotating the food items will certainly help prevent freezer burns and preserve the quality of your frozen foods.
