Frozen food question.

[HannahHut]

Hi, sorry I just need some advice.

I've bought a few ready meals from the asda in the fridge section and froze them.

It says on the packet freeze and consume within one month but they're about two months past the Used by date on the packet. Can I still eat them? Its chicken breast with sauces on it and the other is a curry with chicken breast in it.

I would eat them.

Me too. Have eaten loads of stuff that I froze past when you’re recommended to eat it.

I think that means if you freeze them straight away you’ve got 1 month to eat them ..tbh I wouldn’t mess about with chicken.
That said, probably not gonna kill yer!

Of course. It's obviously a ridiculous instruction, therefore can be ignored.

It predates proper freezers and comes from a time when people only had a tiny freezer in the top of the fridge which wasn't as cold as a proper freezer.

God, my auntie and uncle find stuff in the freezer from the last millennium and still eat it!
You will be fine, just make sure you heat it up properly ( I like 85c with reheated chicken).

Thank you!

I did buy them and freeze them right away. But I know you can freeze chicken breast for like 6 months and its fine. Just a bit paranoid. I have a phobia about throwing up so it makes me nervous about eating things, I have to cut chicken down the middle when I go out to eat to check its cooked properly. Bit weird, I know but there you go.

Think I'll eat them then. They weren't cheap, like 2 for £6so don't want to chuck them.

It's fine
Once frozen any bacteria cannot multiply. The "eat within 1 month" is for quality purposes only i.e. it might get a bit freezer burnt.

If it’s frozen it’s frozen, no reason at all why you’d need to eat it within a month, or several months for that matter. The freezing stops deterioration. They put that on so you’ll bin it and buy more.

I agree with everyone else, it'll be fine.

Kirsten That is exactly what my mum says! Its a conspiracy.

Thanks for answering everyone, you've but my mind to rest :)

When I purchase from fridge section I understand the use by date to be valid if it is stored in a fridge and that if frozen the date is extended to a further month or two.