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FOOD STORAGE
SUGGESTIONS
Suggested
Storage
Times for Meat and Poultry*
Eatingquality
DAYSIN
MONTHSIN
drops after
REFRIGERMOR
FREEZER
timeshown
AT35° to 40° F.
AT0° F.
(2° to 4° c.)
(-lS ° C.)
FreshMeats
Roasts
(Beet &
Lamb) 3
to
5
Roasts
(Pork
&
Veal)
3
to
5
Steaks
(Beef)
3
to
5
Chops (Lamb) ...................................
3to5
Chops
(Pork)
3
to
5
Ground
&
Stew
Meats
1
to
2
Variety
Meats ....................................
l t02
Sausage(Pork).................................1 to 2
Processed Meats
Bacon
7
Frankfurters..........................................
7
Ham (Whole) ........................................7
Ham
(Half)
.........3
to
5
Ham (Slices) .........................................
3
Luncheon
Meats
3
to
5
Sausage(Smoked)...............................7
Sausage(Dry & Semi-Dry)............. 1 4 to 21
6 to 12
4 to 8
6 to 12
6to9
3to4
3to4
3to4
1 to2
1
lh
Ito 2
I to2
I to2
Freezing
not recom-
mended,
Eatingquality
DAYS IN
MONTHSIN
drops after
REFRIGERATOR
FREEZER
timeshown
AT35° to 40° F.
AT0° F.
(2" to 4° c.)
(-18° C.)
FreshPoultry
Chicken & Turkey (Whole) ................1 to 2
12
Chicken (Pieces)...............................1 to 2
9
Turkey (Pieces) .....
1 to 2
6
Duck& Goose (Whole).....................1 to 2
6
Giblets
1 to 2
3
CookedPoultry
Pieces(Coveredwith Broth) ..............1 to 2
6
Pieces (Not C overed)
........................
3 to4
1
Cooked
Poultry
Dishes
3
to
4
4to6
Fried Chicken .......
3 to 4
4
(01her thanfor meats& poultry)
FREEZER
Most fruits and vegetables................................................ 8 -1 2 months
Leanfish ............................................................................. 6-8 months
Fattytish, rollsand breads,soups, stew, casseroles.........2-3 months
Cakes, pies, sandwiches,leltovers (cooked),
ice cream (originalcarton) ............................................ 1 month max.
Cooked Meats
Cooked Meats and Meat Dishes........ 3 to 4
2 to 3
Gravy
&
Meat
Broth
1
to
2
2to3
* {LS.Department qfAgricldmre
Meats, f ish and poultry purchased from the store vary in quality and
age; consequently, safe storage time in your refrigerator wilt vary.
Fresh Food Storage
Tips
To store vegetables:
• Use the vegetable drawers. They have been designed to
preserve the natural moisture and freshness of produce.
• Covering
vegetables
with a moist towel helps
maintain crispness.
• As a further aid to freshness, prepackaged vegetables
can be stored in their original wrapping.
Unfrozen meats, fish, and poultry:
• Always remove store wrappings.
• Rewrap in foil, plastic wrap or wax paper and
refrigerate immediately.
Cheese:
• Wrap well with wax paper or aluminum foil, or put
in a plastic bag.
• Carefully wrap to expel air and help prevent mold.
• Store prepackagedcheese in its own wrapping if you wish.
Tips on Freezing
Foods
There are three essential requirements for efficient
home freezing.
1. Initial quality. Freeze only top-quality foods,
Freezing retains quality and flavor; it cannot
improve quality.
2. Speed.
The quicker fruits and vegetables
are frozen
after picking, the better the frozen product will be.
You'll save time, too, with less culling and sorting
to do.
3. Proper packaging.
Use food wraps designed
especially for freezing.
To freeze meat, fish and poultry, wrap well in freezer-
weight foil (or other heavy-duty wrapping material),
forming it carefully to the shape of the contents. This
expels air. Fold and crimp ends of the package to provide
a good, lasting seal. Don't refreeze meat that has been
completely thawed; meat, whether raw or cooked, can
be frozen successfully only once.
Fine-quality ice cream, with high cream content, will
normally require slightly lower temperatures than more
"airy" already-packaged brands with low cream content.
• It will be necessary to experiment to determine the
freezer compartment location and temperature
control setting to keep your ice cream at the right
serving temperature.
• The rear of the freezer compartment is slightly
colder than the front.
New techniques
are constantly
being developed.
Consult the County Extension
Service or your local
Utility (bmpany
jor the latest injormation
on
j?eezing
and storing joods.
5
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