Six year old beef lurking in the freezer.

I have no problem in eating anything that has been properly frozen, regardless of age. One thing that has bothered me though, is how many Grans are happy to feed things to animals that they feel is not safe for humans. Why do they consider that animals deserve less consideration than humans?

So glad the beef was good despite all the gloomy prognostications! I think there is a redcurrant pie in the offing at our house to be made with 5 year old redcurrants. DH is eating them with yoghurt from time to time, so they can't be that terrible!
Waiting with bated breath to hear about the pork.

I’ll cook up that 2017 hunk of pork next Sunday and let you know 🐷

Not sure id take same chance with pork.

No, why? Just curious.

Nancat

I have no problem in eating anything that has been properly frozen, regardless of age. One thing that has bothered me though, is how many Grans are happy to feed things to animals that they feel is not safe for humans. Why do they consider that animals deserve less consideration than humans?

Indeed. I'd not feed my sweet dogs food not fit for humans.

Nor I.

Would cook it but not expect it to have all that much taste.

When reloading my freezer after defrosting I make sure that the food is in date order and listed so no way could anything could be left too long. Or maybe some people don’t regularly defrost and clean their freezers.

I’d cook it and throw it out to the two foxes who visit my garden

'Only' 2016?!

I have found older/similarly aged food in our freezer: we gently thaw, smell (and if OK) cook and eat it. I can't remember what it was but I think also beef.

I read some of these posts to Mr C who has just admitted that the fish we ate a few weeks ago was approximately ten years old....

He now admits that he thawed it by soaking in a bowl of water which also rehydrated it - there was minimal freezer burn.

I apparently enthusiastically chomped on it and said it was delicious - and didn't have an upset tummy so presumably, as long as the food has been deep frozen at a constant temperature it is safe to eat.

Thanks, Llamedos13 for reminding me that the freezer needs a thorough 'go through'!

Defrost and bung it in microwave ….that’ll kill anything.!😳

Bijou,my freezer is frost free so doesn't require de -frosting!I have been known to swipe my cloth over its inside once in a while.But I’ve learned my lesson and will be vigilant in the future.

You have inspired me to delve into our freezer and get out some belly pork slices. I used to make a meat loaf from a recipe of Elizabeth David but decided to ring up GS aged 16 who does terrific pulled pork. The pork is in a slow oven beginning to smell good!

I have used one dated nearly 10 years, made a beef stew a d just added an Oxo cube to add flavour, tasted fine. You honestly couldn't tell. I think it's the lack of flavour that is the issue but as long as flavour is added to the dish it's more than safe.

I ended up nearly dying and was in hospital for 4 weeks in 2001. My 40 year old son came to look after me whilst I was in hospital and proceeded to throw out everything in my food cupboards that was ‘out of date’ - this included salts, peppers, condiments, sauces, unopened tins, bottles, soups, pastas, rice, etc, etc, - and proceeded to leave about 2 items per shelf with a post-it note and the expiry date!!!
I was horrified and it took me about a year to replace things as I kept going to the cupboard to get herb salt or similar only to find nothing.
I too have used ‘years out of date’ items from the freezer (not fish!) and fed them to my sons unbeknownst to them, with compliments. Unless it looks or smells off once defrosted - I use it . Old Frozen veg however seem to dry and become stringy! Enjoy the beef.

Bijou

When reloading my freezer after defrosting I make sure that the food is in date order and listed so no way could anything could be left too long. Or maybe some people don’t regularly defrost and clean their freezers.

Maybe indeed - I’m just not organised! such a chore - should like a new fridge freezer - but no money - so….!

I recently defrosted and roasted a jount if topside which had been in the freezer since late 2017.
It didn’t occur to me to do otherwise.
It was fine. (I prefer fore rib on the bone. )

… joint of topside. Sorry.

Bijou

When reloading my freezer after defrosting I make sure that the food is in date order and listed so no way could anything could be left too long. Or maybe some people don’t regularly defrost and clean their freezers.

Oops, good job my chest freezer and f/f are frost free, no I don’t label and date everything, another blot on my domesticity, never mind.
Glad it worked out Llamedos, I’d have done the same, I expect the pork will be delicious.

Jaxjacky

Bijou

When reloading my freezer after defrosting I make sure that the food is in date order and listed so no way could anything could be left too long. Or maybe some people don’t regularly defrost and clean their freezers.

Oops, good job my chest freezer and f/f are frost free, no I don’t label and date everything, another blot on my domesticity, never mind.
Glad it worked out Llamedos, I’d have done the same, I expect the pork will be delicious.

Ours is not a chest, too hard to dig stuff out, huge blot on my domesticity, as well as no labels and mismatched container-ing.

My Mum had a chest freezer. So difficult to dig stuff out and I’m not surprised if people end up with food they forgot they froze years ago. I can see exactly what I’ve got. I don’t have everything labelled because things don’t stay there long enough for me to wonder what they are.

When next you purchase a freezer - buy upright. I suspect that's a valid point to be gained from this post.

It’s only a small one, so not too much pot luck! Literally.

Freeze and defrost your food correctly
Freezing acts as a 'pause' button on food. If you freeze food correctly, it won’t deteriorate or spoil as bacteria cannot grow on frozen food. However, the longer the food is frozen, the more likely that the texture will be affected. This will not affect safety.

The above is from the UK Food Standards Agency.