February 25, 2024 | 05:00 pm PT
My household usually shops leftover meat within the freezer. Nonetheless, some consider that consuming meat saved within the freezer for a very long time can improve the chance of most cancers. Is that this true? (Hong, 34, Hanoi)
Reply:
The apply of storing leftover meat within the freezer is widespread amongst many households. There’s a false impression that preserving meat within the freezer for an prolonged interval can generate toxins that trigger most cancers; nevertheless, this perception shouldn’t be supported by correct data. It’s true, although, that the longer meat is saved, its dietary worth decreases, which might improve the chance of toxin formation and probably hurt our well being.
The utmost storage time for meat within the freezer depends upon numerous elements, together with the kind of meat and the storage temperature. Temperature is probably the most vital issue. If the temperature is just too excessive, the meat can spoil and decay as a consequence of being put in a good surroundings for bacterial progress. Conversely, if meat is saved at excessively low temperatures within the freezer, it might probably freeze, lose moisture, and endure structural modifications.
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Storing leftover meat within the freezer is a standard pratice. Illustration photograph by Unsplash |
Usually, meat packaged for export is saved in chilly storage warehouses at very low temperatures, usually round -50 levels Celsius, and might be stored for as much as six months. Family freezer compartments, which generally keep temperatures from -12 to -18 levels Celsius, enable meat to be saved safely for a couple of month. Thus, if your loved ones shops meat within the freezer for as much as a month after which thaws it properly, it ought to nonetheless be protected to eat.
However, if meat is saved within the freezer for too lengthy, microorganisms can adapt, changing into much less lively however nonetheless able to gradual improvement, which can result in toxin manufacturing and the chance of different illnesses.
Furthermore, any kind of meals, not simply meat, will endure modifications in its parts if saved within the freezer for too lengthy. Whereas the meat might not present indicators of spoilage, its style and taste can’t match that of contemporary meat. It’s advisable to eat the meat as quickly as attainable and keep away from extended storage.
Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh
Institute of Meals Know-how and Biotechnology, Hanoi College of Science and Know-how