Frozen foods | Ask us a question about frozen food
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If you have a question about frozen foods... or if you'd like advice on cutting down your food bills... if you want to know how to prepare healthy, delicious meals for your family just email our frozen food experts below. Answers will be posted on this page. Please note that in order for us to give you the best answer, we may not be able to reply immediately. Please take this into consideration when asking us time-sensitive questions and allow up to a week for answers. We strive to respond as quickly as we can. Thank you!
Previously answered questions
- Are frozen foods as fresh as un-preserved foods? Thanks Barry
- Is there more risk of food poisoning with frozen fish and frozen shellfish? Thanks, Gina
- I put my moth eaten clothes in the freezer like you said and now some of my food has gone grey and speckled. I think the moths are eating my mince. What shall I do? Moth balls might make my food taste funny...
- Just read about Clarence Birdseye’s cold press freezing - does the pressure stop the cells expanding and protect the cells from damage? Your site does not say how pressure limits cell damage. Thanks, Ron
- should I put my cooked food in the fridge to cool before I put it in the freezer? But wont that slow the freezing process down?
- in your fresh frozen process video the food is sprayed with nitrogen – is it washed off afterwards?
- I like your Lancashire hotpot recipe but where can I buy the cheat ready frozen version?
- My forced rhubarb will be coming into season soon. Can you tell me the best way to freeze some of it? Angela
- Can you tell me who makes frozen chips with the lowest fat content?
- frozen food is sometimes cheaper than fresh food so can I buy it frozen and then just keep it in my fridge as if it is fresh is fresh food? thanks, H
- You mention preservatives. Are you saying that it is not necessary for any frozen foods to have preservatives in them? That has to be good, if it is true.
- I poached some frozen salmon fillets and when they were cooked they had a milky white scum on their surfaces. What is this? It did not look very nice. Is there a way of preventing this? Anon
- I am confused about de-frosting frozen chicken. I am now hearing that putting it under a running cold tap is not safe. Is this true? Maybe the only safe way is to defrost it overnight in the fridge? But this is slow, and takes forward planning. I ne
- What is the best way to store ice cubes in the freezer? They do seem to stick together if they are in a bag. Perhaps I should not keep them for long? Susie
- I LIVE IN GARSTON. CAN TELL ME WHERE MY NEAREST FARM FOOD STORE IS. THANKS
- Do I HAVE to blanch the fruit and vegetables that I grow in my garden, before I put them in my freezer? What happens if I do not? Eliza
- How long can I safely keep a frozen chicken in my fridge after I have defrosted it?
- Reading your website about freezing fish, quite a lot can depend on the size. We freeze our own shrimps, freshly caught from the sea here. They are very small of course, so they freeze very fast and well. Very good for then making frozen potted shrimps.
- Please explain what happens to chocolate in the freezer. It is difficult to keep it's colour and gloss. What is the white coating that appears? Thank you.
- Could you please tell if you will stock dairy free ice cream in the near future?
- I have a low sodium diet – are frozen foods good or bad for this? Thanks, Kay.
- Isn’t frozen food stuffed with preservatives?
- Does pastry freeze well? How long can I keep it in the freezer? I am referring to uncooked pastry.
- How long can you keep a fresh chicken in the freezer before it spoils?
- Can you freeze freshly cooked pasta?
- I often use frozen asparagus. Lately after cooking according to package directions, the asparagus spears are stringy and not very appetising.
- What is the best way to defrost a chicken? I have had conflicting advice on this one.
- Could you tell me whether your chickens (fresh and frozen) are battery chickens, and how they are raised?
- If I want to quicken defrost time without a microwave can i saw my frozen meat to small chunks and fry from frozen? Thanks, L
- My freezer is icing up. Should I de-frost it? How do I do that as I have lots of food in it?
- I am making shephards pie. Can I cook the minced meat straight from frozen?
- If I wanted 5 kilos of strawberries how much would they cost?
- I read so many bits of advise about de-frosting chicken. Please could you clarify this for me?
- Do you have a section on how to deal with food which has been previously cooked and then frozen. e.g Fish Pie
- I only have room for my freezer or my fridge, not both. I have to get rid of one and I think we could get rid of the fridge, keep the freezer and have a daily defrosting programme for milk, bread, butter. Would this work?
- How long does it take you to answer my question on frozen food? Anon
- Oakhurst meat products do not bear the UK farms assured Union Jack. Where is the meat sourced from?
- Please tell me the safest way to defrost a chicken
- do you sell quorn? and prices? do you sell any type of dill sauce or frozen dill?
- Great site. But not exactly impartial! J
- Please explain to me about blanching. What difference does it make?
- What is the legal time u can have frozen food out & at room temp for before you load it onto a chilled & frozen lorry.
- How are TV dinners made? Anon
- I live in Port Talbot. I have never been to one of your stores, where will I find the nearest one? Hopefully not too far away.. Regina
- Can you freeze food more than once? Anon
- Can food age if its frozen as in bread and meat. Like if you bought it 25th December 2009 how long can you keep it frozen till you want to eat it or some many days after you buy it? Michelle
- I have egg rolls and pot stickers that are 2 years old in freezer. Are they ok to eat? We fried some egg rolls and they were good. Thanks, Carla
- What was the first frozen food available in Britain, and when was it available? Anon.
- I prepared a Spinach and Bean soup using defrosted chicken broth. After a good meal, I still have a large amount of soup left. Can I safely refreeze the resulting soup? Anon
- Why does my frozen cream separate out when I defrost it? Is there a cream that will not do that? I do not like the taste of (non-frozen) long life cream. Gill
- Do frozen breaded scallops need to be kept frozen till ready to cook, or can they be stored in the refrigerator? Anon.
- How long can you keep venison in the deep freeze? Do you sell venison? Thank you, Jonathan
- Which is the best way of defrosting - leaving out in the kitchen, putting in the fridge, in the microwave, or just cooking from frozen? The information given is so confusing. Or do different foods need treating differently? Adele.
- Is it safe to eat meat that has been frozen for longer than 3 months? Thanks, Christine.
- Hi there, if I have defrosted a chicken breast at room temperature today, in a food bag, will it be safe for me to eat tomorrow night. This will be 32 hours later. Obviously I would put it in the fridge tonight. Imogen.
- Hi, I shop at Iceland’s in Fulford and I did a shop today at 10 to have it delivered to my house at 5 o’clock. Just would like to know if the food is put back in the shop freezer and if I have to sign for my food. Thanks, Rebecca.
- Is veg and meat produced in the UK? Terry
- The fish I needed to use fairly quickly was not quite defrosted, I held it under the cold water tap to finish off the defrosting. Could you please tell me how unsafe this is and what would the dangers be when eating, after cooking of course. Thank you.
- Can I defrost a chicken in my microwave oven?
- I am cooking some frozen salmon fillets. Why would the recipe I am following say I should first wash the salmon with lemon juice and salt, and then rinse in cold water, and dry with kitchen towel, before preparing for the oven?
- Do I have to wait for food to cool before putting it in the freezer?
- Can I freeze my leftover gravy?
- Do I have to wait for food to cool before putting it in the freezer?
- Can I put everything from my fridge in the freezer if I'm going away on holiday? Thanks, Harvey
- Love the site! I am interested in environmental impacts surrounding food types - frozen food seems to have a lot more packaging than fresh foods why is this?
- After defrosting frozen fish in the refrigerator, how long can they stay in the fridge before they go off?
- Is it all right to roast a chicken from frozen?
- Can I freeze my meats with my vegetables?
- In a small cargo ship there is only 1 refrigerating room, which is maintaining temperature between -20C to -18C. Since there is no other refrigerating room could there be health issue/reservation for storing in the same refrigerating room both frozen fish
- My freezer was switched off for 33 hours by the cleaners - is it ok to refreeze the food?
- Could you please advise on the safety aspect of thawing frozen foods and the aprox times when using the Halogen Oven, which is now available
- I have had some Seville oranges in the bottom of my freezer for about ten years. Will they still be all right for making marmalade?
- What is the recommended way of preparing raw apples for my freezer? Should I slice them up and blanche? Slice up and freeze-dry? This is apple for cooking at a later date. Apple browns in the air, so is coating with lemon juice recommended?
- What will happened if I drop some frozen chips on the floor and my 2 years old pick one up and eat it.
- What is the best way of freezing rhubarb? It can be tough when it is defrosted.
- Do you have a price list on your website plz?
- My son did not close the freezer properly so it was open a crack for about a day and a half. Some of the food seems to be partially thawed. Is it still safe to leave the food in the freezer to be refrozen or should it all be disposed of?
- Surely the carbon footprint for a fish finger is comparatively high. The fish is caught on a diesel powered boat, frozen on board by power guzzling freezers; driven to a factory by road, mechanically processed, kept in storage at -30, distributed on the m
- I am watching a programme about mechanically recovered meat (MRM). They are saying it cannot be called meat. So if that is the case, how nutritious are frozen chicken Kiev's, and frozen sausages? The Foods Standard Agency do not want to make any comment
- Why is re-freezing peas not advised? Is it ok if they are defrosted in the fridge and then back in the freezer (defrosted) 12hrs later? I had a freezer issue recently and didn't think I would have to throw out the peas!?
- I made 2 cottage pies using fresh meat and Aunt Bessie's frozen mash, we ate one and have one left. They say the mash should not be refrozen. However I have cooked the pies for 30 mins in an oven, so am I able to freeze as a cooked meal and re-heat?
- Nearest Farmfoods store to Acklam, Middlesbrough?
- I have made a fish pie using frozen cod fillets & then mashed potato on top, the container holding the cod fillets says "do not reheat", should I throw the remainder of the pie away or can I use it up the next day by re-heating it? I will not re-freeze it
- I have salmon steaks in the freezer which have been there since July – I forgot about them..! Are they still safe to eat?
- What quality points should be looked for in frozen vegetables before cooking them?
- Describe briefly how to boil frozen broccoli florets?
- how do i freeze onions?
- My son has chewing gum on his shirt. I have heard I can put the shirt in my freezer, and then the gum will come off. Is this true?
- my cupboard onboard our canal boat has frozen solid eg: tins soup, peas & other vegetables, salmon, sardines – Is the food safe to eat?
- If I want to eat fruits out of season that don't freeze well like strawberries is there a way I can freeze dry them at home? Thanks, jon
- where are your stores and do you deliver?
- I use the super-cold section of my freezer to quick-freeze meals I put in my freezer. But are there any particular food items that would benefit from storing there more permanently?
- Do you have a home delivery service?
- Marooned in the snow and having to eat from the freezer alone – are we getting enough nutrients?
- Why does my frozen meat lose a lot of fluid when I defrost it? Am I losing nutrients in this lost fluid?
- Why does your ice wall have frozen lemons, limes, grapes and rhubarb in it when these items are not available as frozen in the shops?
- My friend tells me I can put my woolen jumper in my freezer to kill moths and moth eggs. Is this true? How long shall I leave it there?
- lovely website, where do we find the prices?
- I have been told that ground coffee, once the packet has been opened, keeps fresher in the freezer. Is this true? If true, how long will it keep in the freezer?
- Why is my ice cream still soft after freezing?
- Do you do deliveries and can i shop on line?
- Why do you not have your range and price list anywhere?
- How long can you store meat in a freezer before consumption?
- Is it true farmed prawns swim in their own sewage?
- Are my Birds Eye fish fingers made with prime cut more nutritious and vitamin-packed?
- Can I refreeze my smoked Salmon?
- We hear all about preserving nutrients in the freezing process. But do any nutrients suffer or get lost through freezing?
- Sometimes my ice cream block melts when I have had it out of my freezer for a while , as I am offering it for lunch. Can I then put the block back in the freezer for future use?
- How long can I store bacon in my freezer? Sometimes some of it smells and tastes "piggy" after a while, when I thaw it out. Why is that?
- I watched a programme on the TV which showed the devastating effect of fishermen dredging the seabed for shellfish. This is so worrying as the seabed turns into a desert. I bought some "Scotia" Canadian Sea Scallops and I suppose these were dredged?
- You answered a question about the super cool section of the freezer that was put to you by "Simon". I think what he wants to know is what frozen food should be permanently stored there. (You talk of super cool settings). I use this section for raw meat
- What's the safest way to transport my babies frozen food say journey time between 30 - 60 mins?
- None of my frozen scallops had a little orange bit. Firstly, why not? Secondly, what is the orange bit?
- I found some McAin's oven chips and some Bird's Eye fish fingers in the bottom of my freezer. They are probably 18 months old. Can we eat them? If so, will they taste all right?
- If my frozen fish smells rather fishy, does that mean it is ‘off’ or perhaps stale?
- How long can I keep my Fish Fanatics defrosted fish in my fridge before I cook it?
- What will be the difference in quality between a sausage stored for say 2 years (or 5 years!) and the recommended 2 months?
- Can I refreeze my thawed Aunt Bessie's Yorkshire Pudding?
- Can I refreeze my thawed food?
- Is it safe to re-freeze raw food that has previously been frozen?
- Is it safe to eat refrozen melted ice cream?
- Is it safe to cook Turkey from frozen?
- Do you deliver, if so, how much
- Seeking the suppliers of ice cream cartridges for a Nestle Ice creamery
- Do you stock Mayflower Chinese curry sauce?
- Is my frozen food safe if thawed when my freezer fails?
- How to cook frozen Iceland haggis?
- Can frozen meat be cooked and then frozen again?
- Can I reheat cooked frozen chicken?
- What type of cream can I store in my freezer, firstly to use just as cream to pour on puddings and fruit, and secondly, to use after defrosting for cooking?
- Why do I need to blanche vegetables from my garden such as peas and broad beans before putting them in my freezer? I have tried not blanching, and they taste the same?
- Do you sell frozen breaded garlic mushrooms?
- Can I freeze home baked cheesecake?
- Can I refreeze thawed frozen peas?
- What foods I blanche my food before freezing?
- What are the benefits of frozen foods?
- Please could you tell me where The Oakhurst Duck comes from?
- Is it safe to freeze milk?
- Is it safe to eat frozen peas without defrosting?
- Frozen chocolate – why does it go white in the freezer
- I have a super cold section in my freezer – what food should I keep in it?
- Why do your chicken breasts need to be cooked from frozen?
- How or where do I buy this frozen food?
- Can a block of cheddar cheese be frozen and for how long please?
- Does theNewIceAge deliver?
- How long will my Ham last in the freezer?
- Will my freezer run more efficiently if I keep it in the cellar?
- Can frozen pastry be refrozen once cooked?
- Why does my chocolate go white when I freeze it?
- Can frozen chips be refrozen after they thaw?
- Is it safe to freeze cooked meals made from previously frozen raw meat that has been defrosted?
- Do you blanch your vegetables to retain their colour before freezing?
- Whatever container we freeze food in, we get large ice crystals inside the container/packaging on the food - and the food gets dry and ice cream chewy. Why?
- Eating frozen fruit and vegetables from frozen
- Having just defrosted my freezer for the first time in over a year, I am concerned over the amount of time it took and whether the meat that went back in the freezer is definitely still all right to eat. Is there something I can buy to check
- What is the lowest temperature I can go down to when delivering frozen foods?
- Cod and Haddock is packed in China, why? Is it Chinese fish?
- I’m travelling from Hawaii to New Orleans and was wondering how long "frozen" food can stay frozen in cooler without ice or dry ice if that's possible? The duration is approximately 14 hours.
- Are farmed fish fed ‘sewage derived protein’ food?
- Is it harmful to eat frozen peas or carrots? They have been cooked and then frozen? Are all nutrients retained?
- Can I freeze fresh herbs?
- Re-freezing at Tescos..?
- Freezer bags.. How efficient are they?
- Pineapples are really good this time of year. I bought two for the Easter weekend and have only used one. Can I freeze the second one successfully?
- Keeping baby food frozen...?
- Is it safe to thaw out flash frozen chicken?
- Which is more energy intensive: A. To factory freeze peas, transport them to the supermarket in frozen storage vehicles, storing them in the supermarket frozen section and storing them at home in the freezer over a year B. Picking peas, transporting th
- After placing frozen salmon fillets in the refrigerator for defrosting, up to how many days can they stay in the fridge before I cook them so they don’t spoil?
- Is there a recommended time for keeping pastry in the freezer before using?
- Within how many hours should the cooked food be frozen?
- Our freezer does not have a high temperature indicator. Is there a product that would indicate if the freezer had been operating at an unsafe temperature since we last checked it such as if we were on holiday?
- Which has better effective quality protein? Fresh meat or frozen meat?
- How long can I keep a pheasant in the deep freezer?
- How long can I freeze a chicken pie, which I have made myself?
- When should you defrost your freezer? Every three to four months?
- I’m considering making and freezing sandwiches for the families packed lunches and would like some ideas on what freezes well (obviously, salad is a no, no). I’ve not tried this before, but an friend mentioned that she does it and it saves a lot of time.
- Why don’t you recommend using a microwave to cook many of the frozen vegetables? Frozen spinach is great in the microwave.
- I heard that all the best quality ingredients go into fresh food and frozen food has to do with lower grade ingredients. Is this true?
- I have frozen 5 year old blueberries. Are they still edible?
- Can I freeze my kebab if I don't eat it all then heat it up in the oven later?
- How can I stop my frozen fruit becoming mushy when I thaw them?
- Can I cook mince from frozen or should I make sure it is fully defrosted before I do so
- Is it safe to defrost chicken in the microwave?
- How many frozen peas does it take to change a light bulb?
- How can frozen food help with child obesity?
- How does the carbon footprint of British Frozen Foods compare with air freighted exotic fruit and vegetables?
- What can I do to make cooking a meal less time-consuming?
- Is buying frozen food ingredients really cheaper than buying them fresh?
Poll
Now that all the political parties are starting their campaigning do you think that:
Labour will save you money
11%
The Tories will save you money
8%
Buying frozen food will save you money
81%
Total votes: 570
