Frozen food

• It is a misconception that freezing kills bacteria such as Salmonella species - freezing stops the bacteria from growing but when thawed, the bacteria start growing again

• When shopping, buy frozen food last so you can get it into the freezer quickly
• Store the food according to the manufacturers instructions on the packet, having regard to the 'star' system for freezers and food
• In refrigerators, the frozen food compartments will often operate to the 'star' system.
  One-star frozen food compartments operate at -6ºC, 21ºF
  Two-star frozen food compartments operate at -12ºC, 10ºF
  Three-star frozen food compartments operate at -18ºC, 0ºF
• Food freezers operate between -18ºC, 0ºF and -25ºC, -13ºF
• Keep the food in its original wrapper until used
• If you freeze food yourself, label and date it, so you know what it is and when to use it
• In the event of a power cut, keep the door closed
• To maintain proper temperatures in the freezer, defrost the freezer in accordance with manufacturers instructions
• Unless you want to wake up to a freezer full of water don't let ice build up over the edges of the door/lid - it will stop the door/lid closing properly
• Do not re-freeze food once thawed - bacteria will have started to grow in the food