University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County
COOK IT
QUICK

Helping you prepare healthy foods in a hurry
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Alice Henneman, MS, RD
ahenneman1@unl.edu
Extension Educator & Dietitian
University of Nebraska Cooperative
Extension in Lancaster County

Joyce Jensen, REHS
jjensen@ci.lincoln.ne.us
Environmental Health Specialist
Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department

Is It Safe to Eat a Food that
Has Freezer Burn?

"Freezer burn," a condition in which the surface of food appears light-colored and dried out, occurs when moisture on the surface evaporates. Proper cooling, air removal, moisture-vapor-resistant packaging, a tight seal and an appropriate length of storage help prevent freezer burn. Keep your freezer at 0 F or lower.

While a food with freezer burn is safe to eat, the quality is lower. You can cut away freezer burn spots either before or after cooking. If a food is heavily freezer-burned, it may be desirable to discard it for quality reasons.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about how to freeze food to help prevent freezer burn, check these links:

food safety for home cooking

Click HERE for more information on food safety

 

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Developed By:

Alice C. Henneman, MS, RD
Extension Educator
University of Nebraska
Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County

Fax: (402) 441-7148
Phone: (402) 441-7180
E-Mail: ahenneman1@unl.edu
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu/food

Use Of These Materials:

You may reproduce these materials for educational purposes but not for sales purposes. You're also welcome to link to "Cook It Quick" from your website. Please credit: COOK IT QUICK!, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension (lancaster.unl.edu/food/ciq.htm)

Use of commercial and trade names does not imply approval or constitute endorsement by the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension. Nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.

For more information about preparing healthy meals, contact your local University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Office; for the location of the office nearest you, click here. For a listing of Cooperative Extension Offices throughout the United States, click here.

Address: 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln, NE 68528-1507, Phone: 402-441-7180

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