What are the storage times for foods in a freezer or fridge?

Jemma Downes, Canada

No food lasts forever however well it is stored. The storage times depends an the quality of the food which means especially the freshness and possible germ contamination before you put them in the cold. For frozen food it is important not to interrupt the freezing chain. But all chemical and bacterial processes proceed slower in low temperature. Look at the label on commercial frozen food.Most pre-packed foods carry either a 'use by' or 'best before' date. Check them carefully, and look out for advice on how long food can be kept for once packaging has been opened. Read and follow the storage conditions on the food package, there should be an advice for the storage time and see if it is suitable for home freezing, use foil, plastic wrap or bags, airtight containers.

In specific cases, you might get in touch with the manufacturers customers service and ask how to store the goods in a fridge or freezer.

For home frozen foods some rough recommendations:

• Bread, meat, fish about 3 months
• Fruit 6 to 12 months
• Vegetables about 10 months
• Butter 6 to 9 months

Check out the Food storage fact file:
http://www.foodlink.org.uk/factfile3.pdf