The chart b elow isprovided bytheUSDA andshould b eused asa guideline only. When indoubt about foodsafety, itis always bet-
tertothrow questionable
foodout.
Stillcontains
ice crystams and
Thawed.
Food or Food Type
feels as cold as if refrigerated
Held above 40° F for over 2 hours
MEAT, POULTRY and SEAFOOD
Beef, veal, lamb, pork and ground meats
Refreeze
Discard
Poultry and ground poultry
Refreeze
Discard
Variety meats
Refreeze
Discard
(liver, kidney, heart, chitterlings)
Fish, she/fish, breaded seafood products
Refreeze, however, there will be
Discard
some texture and flavor loss.
"_NRY
Milk
Refreeze, may lose some texture.
Discard
Eggs (out of she/) and egg products
Refreeze
Discard
Ice cream, frozen yogurt
Discard
Discard
Cheese (soft and semi-soft)
Refreeze, may lose some texture.
Discard
Hard cheeses
Refreeze
Refreeze
Shredded cheeses
Refreeze
Discard
Casseroles containing milk, cream,
Refreeze
Discard
eggs, soft cheeses
Cheesecake
Refreeze
Discard
FRUITS and VEGETABLES
Juices--fruit
Refreeze
Refreeze, discard if mold, yeasty smell
or sliminess develops
Juices--vegetables
Refreeze
Discard after heid above
40° F (4° C) for 6 hours
Home, commercially packaged or
Refreeze, will change in
Discard after held above
blanched
texture and flavor.
40° F (4° C) for 6 hours or if mold,
yeasty smell or sliminess develops
BREADS and PASTRIES
Breads, rolls, muffins,
Refreeze
Refreeze
cakes (without custard filings)
Cakes, pies, pastries with custard or
Refreeze
Discard
cheese filling
Pie crusts, commercial and homemade
Refreeze, some quality loss
Refreeze, qualty loss is considerable.
bread dough
may occur.
"_THER
Casseroles--pasta or rice based
Refreeze
Discard
Flour, cornmeal, nuts
Refreeze
Refreeze
Breakfast items-
Refreeze
Refreeze
waffles, pancakes, bagels
Frozen meat, entr6e, specialty items
Refreeze
Discard
(pizza, sausage and biscuit,
meat pie, and convenience foods)