FOOD STORAGE SUGGESTIONS
Suggested storage times for meat and poultry*
Eating quality DAYS IN MONTHS IN Eatingquality
drops after REFRIGERATORFREEZER drops after
time shown AT 35_'to40_EAT O"'F. time shown
DAYSIN MONTHSIN
REFRIGERATORFREEZER
AT35' to 40F.AT 0 F.
Fresh Meats
Roasts (Beef & Lamb) .3 to 56to12
Roasts (Pork & Veal) ..... 3 to 5 4 to8
Steaks (Beef ).... 3 to 56to 12
Chops (Lamb) 3to 5 6 to9
Chops (Pork) 3 to 5 3 to4
Ground & Stew Meats .1 to 2 3to4
Variety Meats 1to 2 3 to4
Sausage (Pork).. 1to 2 1to 2
ProcessedMeats
Bacon 7 1
Frankfurters. ..7 1,2
Ham(Whole) 7 t to 2
Ham (Half) 3to 5 1to 2
Ham (Slices) 3 1to 2
LuncheonMeats 3to 5 Freezing
Sausage (Smoked) _. 7 not recoin
Sausage(Dry & Semi-Dry)14 to 21 mended
CookedMeats
CookedMeatsand
Meat Dishes 3 to 4 2to3
Gravy& Meat Broth i to 2 2103
Fresh Poultry
Chicken& Turkey (Whole)1 to 2 12
Chicken (Pieces) 1to2 9
Turkey (Pieces) 1to2 6
Duck& Goose(Whole) 1to2 6
Giblets 1to 2 3
Cooked Poultry
Pieces(Coveredwith Broth)ire 2 6
Pieces (Not Covered) 3 to 4 1
Cooked Poultry Dishes 3to4 4906
FriedChicken 3 to4
(Otherthanfor meats& poultry)FREEZER
Most fruits and vegetables 8-12 months
Lean fish......... 6-8 months
Fattyfish rolls andbreads,
soups, stew, casseroles..... 2-3 months
Cakes,pies. sandwiches,
leftovers (cooked),
_cecream(originalcarton)........... 1monthmax.
"U.S Department of Agriculture
Meats, fish and poultry purchased
from the store vary in quality and
age; consequently, safe storage time
in your refrigerator will vary.
Unfrozen meats, fish
and poultry
• Always remove store wrappings.
• Rewrap in foil, film or wax paper
and refrigerate immediately.
Vegetables
•Use the vegetable drawers--
they've been designed to preserve
the natural moisture and
freshness of produce.
•Covering vegetables with a me i St
towel helps nmintain crispness.
*As a ftulher aid to freshness,
prepackaged vegetables can be
stored in their original wrapping•
Ice Cream
Fine-quality ice cream, with high
creatn conlenl, will normal ly
require sl ighll} Im_er temperatures
than more "'airy" already-packaged
brands with low cream content•
•hw i tt be necessary to e xperiment
to determine the treezer
compartment location and
temperature control _etting to keep
your ice cream at the right serving
temperature.
• The rear of the fleezer
compartment is slighll 3 colder than
the front.
Cheese
Wrap well with wax paper or
aluminum foil, or put in a plastic
bag.
oCarel'ully wrap to expel air and
help prevent mold.
• Store prepackaged cheese in its
own wrapping if you wish.
,\"el_ rdt ]miqlte_ dre CO#INUtlf[l.v
h_'ittg dei'doped. Consult the (oun O'
l_rc,lff_,t Ses'l,icc or your local Utility
Comp(un fi. rhe latest it{ibrmation on
!?u<in_ arid srori#ig fi;odv.
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 calmot improve
quality.
2. Speed. The quicker thlits and vegetables are frozen
fter picking, the better the fiozen product will be.
You'll save time, too. with less culling and sorting to do.
3. Proper packaging. LTsefood wraps designed
especially for fieezing.
To freeze meat, fish and poultry, wrap well in
lreezer _. eight foil (or other heavy-duty wrapping
nmterial ), forming it carefldly to the shape of the
contents. This expels air. Fold and crimp ends of the
package to provide a good. lasting seal.
Donq reffeeze meat that has been completely thawed;
meat• whether raw or cooked, can be frozen
succes Lilly only once.
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