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Original poster

Do not freeze. Bugger.

38 replies

StrongFemaleCharacter · 16/12/2024 23:45

I bought a few discounted smoked salmon with cream cheese canapes at Sainsburys today, and bunged them in the freezer to have with Christmas Day evening nibbles. Just a hunch, but I've just gone and checked the packaging and they say do not freeze. Should I bin them or will they be ok? I was so pleased when I saw them, I thought they would be a lovely treat with the usual sausage rolls!

OP posts:
maudelovesharold · 16/12/2024 23:52

I can’t help specifically with your canapés, but I did exactly the same with some veggie sausages, went and checked and they said not suitable for freezing, but I eventually defrosted them and cooked them and they were absolutely fine!
It’s probably something to do with the textures not being quite the same after freezing, but I’m sure they’ll be good to eat.

Original poster
StrongFemaleCharacter · 16/12/2024 23:58

Thank you Maude, I hope you are right. Giving the gift of food poisoning is not what I have planned!

OP posts:
GiddyRobin · 17/12/2024 00:00

Oh, it'll be fine. I freeze all sorts with that warning and I've never had a problem...and I've got the most sensitive stomach known to man!

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General food
Hesonlyakidharry · 17/12/2024 00:02

They’ll taste a bit funny. The salmon decorating once already filled with cream cheese will have a bit of a funny texture. You won’t get unwell, and they’ll be alright but they will taste/feel a bit funny.

Whistledown2 · 17/12/2024 00:02

OP I think when it says 'do not freeze' it's more about the product would not be the same quality when defrosted. ie possibly the cream cheese may be a bit watery? I don't think it's about food poisoning unless it's already been frozen once.

sprigatito · 17/12/2024 00:04

I'd freeze them. The cream cheese might be a bit affected texturally, but no biggie.

Original poster
StrongFemaleCharacter · 17/12/2024 00:07

Ok so I've just checked the packaging again and it says that the product has previously been frozen and defrosted under controlled conditions - does that make a difference?

OP posts:
SnoopySantaPaws · 17/12/2024 00:13

I think the cream cheese will be horrible.

i think the warning they have already been frozen is the key! Such a shame, but I wouldn't risk it.

Salad666 · 17/12/2024 00:32

StrongFemaleCharacter · 17/12/2024 00:07

Ok so I've just checked the packaging again and it says that the product has previously been frozen and defrosted under controlled conditions - does that make a difference?

Yes, you can not freeze and defrost anything multiple times.

NoBinturongsHereMate · 17/12/2024 00:38

Freezing and defrosting doesn't, in itself, create a risk (although it can affect texture). What matters is the total length of time it is unfrozen - which is when bacteria can multiply.

As long as the not-frozen time doesn't exceed the time remaining on the use by date, it will be fine. Just don't keep them hanging about on a buffet. Straight from fridge to eating.

JustMoved123 · 17/12/2024 00:48

If already frozen and defrosted they need to be thrown out, sorry.

samarrange · 17/12/2024 00:50

NoBinturongsHereMate · 17/12/2024 00:38

Freezing and defrosting doesn't, in itself, create a risk (although it can affect texture). What matters is the total length of time it is unfrozen - which is when bacteria can multiply.

As long as the not-frozen time doesn't exceed the time remaining on the use by date, it will be fine. Just don't keep them hanging about on a buffet. Straight from fridge to eating.

What matters is the total length of time it is unfrozen - which is when bacteria can multiply.

Is the correct answer.

In the early days of freezers, there were apparently people who thought that re-freezing food somehow reversed the clock. So the advice was born, "Never refreeze anything".

But if you buy a chicken breast on Monday that has a sell-by date of next Monday on it, then freeze it on Tuesday, thaw it on Wednesday, decide on Thursday that you didn't want it, freeze it again on Friday, thaw it on Saturday, and cook and eat it on Sunday, it will be perfectly fine. The quality might have suffered a bit (although even then, not much with something as basic as white chicken meat), but it will have fewer bacteria than if you'd left it in the fridge all week.

Years of food advice, each piece probably impeccable on its own, seem to have led to a situation where people are unable to apply any common sense at all. I knew someone who stopped eating eggs when Edwina Currie warned about them. They died 20 years later, having never eaten another egg, because the government never officially gave the all-clear.

CyranoDeBergerQuack · 17/12/2024 04:25

StrongFemaleCharacter · 17/12/2024 00:07

Ok so I've just checked the packaging again and it says that the product has previously been frozen and defrosted under controlled conditions - does that make a difference?

Yes!
Bin them

biscuitsandbooks · 17/12/2024 07:30

I personally wouldn't mess about with dairy, it can make you pretty sick.

TheTwirlyPoos · 17/12/2024 07:32

I have refrozen stuff that I've defrosted but I probably wouldn't do it with something ready made like that.

Runskiyoga · 17/12/2024 07:32

Well checked OP, DO NOT eat if previously frozen and defrosted, that's a one time thing.

stringsoup · 17/12/2024 07:46

Take one pack out and have it for lunch today

Hesonlyakidharry · 17/12/2024 18:34

StrongFemaleCharacter · 17/12/2024 00:07

Ok so I've just checked the packaging again and it says that the product has previously been frozen and defrosted under controlled conditions - does that make a difference?

Well, for one it will taste even worse if it’s already been done in a controlled way and then done again at home and it also makes it unsafe to eat.

Nolegusta · 17/12/2024 18:35

I'm not sure they'll taste great after that tbh. Also, I wonder if the fish has been frozen previously. Edit - just saw the update. I wouldn't risk it.

whatisforteamum · 17/12/2024 18:43

Samarrange it really does matter!!
If you defrost a chicken breast then cook it you can refreeze.
Never refreeze previously defrosted meat or fish.
I wouldn't use canapes as the manufacturer has told you not to refreeze as the salmon was previously defrosted.
You could risk food poisoning especially in vulnerable groups.
I'm a chef and have done a level 3 hygiene course.

Onthefarsideoftheworld · 17/12/2024 18:56

M and S pork sage and onion stuffing states on packaging ….
suitable for freezing. .. this product may have been previously frozen and returned to chill temperature. Further freezing will not affect quality.
Can anyone explain how this is ok. .?.

whatisforteamum · 17/12/2024 18:59

No doesn't sound good as pork mince is high risk.
Could be the onion or breadcrumbs were previously frozen which are not high risk.

Onthefarsideoftheworld · 17/12/2024 19:01

Yes did not think of that ..maybe it’s the onions

whatisforteamum · 17/12/2024 19:05

At least manufacturers are being more transparent which is good.🙂

LetsNCagain · 17/12/2024 19:06

Do not serve them to guests op. Fair enough playing Russian roulette with your own guts but it's not fair to risk giving all your guests a tummy bug!

I love my MIL but she'd do this. Op if you're my MIL, please bin them, we've had two tummy bugs this winter already and I'm exhausted

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