How long does food last in the freezer?

[hiccymapops]

We've just bought an extra chest freezer so i can try to stock up, but i'm getting confused with how long i can store food.

I've googled it, and some of the sites say fresh meat can be stored for up to 12 months, but if that's true, why when i buy a joint does it say use buy such a date, or freeze and use within a month?

Can anyone help please?

Anyone? Am i just being a bit of a div?

My understanding is that for some foods although they are still safe while frozen solid, after x number of months/years, the quality/texture may change.

For example meat might get a bit tougher etc.

I agree with onepiece. I had the people from the love food hate waste round at my house giving me a food makeover (will have the dubious pleasure of appearing on the website at some point...)
My freezer was a mess - they took everything out. Every time I said that's old I'll chuck it they insisted it would be fine, but better for slow cooking. We ate all the crap leftovers and no-one has benn ill.

Oh I have eaten stuff that has been in there for over a year. I have odd ends of bread that have been in there for months. Handy if you want a nice piece of toast etc.

Occasionally we make the effort to defrost/cook/use up all the old stuff.

Thank you I'll go by the sites that have the long use by dates on then. It's just confusing when supermarket stuff says to use within a month.

The best before dates relate to flavour rather than safety. Modern freezers store food at such low temperatures that food can be safe to eat practically indefinitely, it's just that with meat etc the flavour/texture won't be as good.

Good info here