6 Things In Your Freezer You Should Toss ASAP, According to Food Safety Experts

Keeping your freezer stocked with frozen foods is a smart way to extend the shelf life of your groceries and ensure you always have meals on hand for busy weeknights. However, sometimes items get left behind or forgotten about and should be thrown away to avoid safety risks. We spoke with food safety educators to identify which items in your freezer should be tossed ASAP, along with tips for keeping an organized freezer to reduce food waste and prevent the spread of foodborne illness.

Cracked Glass Containers or Jars

According to Shannon Stover, a food safety educator at Michigan State University Extension, improperly stored food in glass containers poses one of the biggest freezer safety risks. When checking your freezer, inspect glass jars and containers for cracks, which can lead to glass shards contaminating food. "If you try to open the jar to check, you take the risk of the jar exploding and glass getting everywhere," Stover says.

When freezing foods with liquid in glass jars or containers, leave 1 to 3 inches of headspace at the top to allow for expansion. "If you can use a straight-edge jar instead of a jar with shoulders, that is a better option," she says. "It is also recommended to let the food cool in the refrigerator prior to placing it in the freezer to help minimize the risk of the jar cracking."

Freezer-Burned Food

Food with freezer burn isn't a food safety hazard, but it can affect quality, says Stover. "Freezer burn happens when the food loses moisture and has been exposed to extreme temperature changes or the food has been in the freezer for too long and exposed to air," she says.

While freezer burn doesn't cause foodborne illness, it can impact recipes due to changes in color and texture. If you find freezer-burned foods, assess them carefully before tossing them to avoid unnecessary food waste. If only a small portion is affected, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cutting off the freezer-burned area before using the rest.

Food With Ice Crystals

Ice crystals form on frozen foods when temperatures fluctuate. "Either the product was not cooled enough prior to being placed in the freezer, or it was thawed and frozen."

If you can't confirm that a food stayed above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for less than two hours, it should be thrown away. To reduce ice crystal formation and freezer burn, use airtight packaging and avoid overfilling the freezer so air can circulate properly.

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Old Ice Cubes

Ice cubes that have been sitting in the freezer for an extended period should be tossed, and the tray should be thoroughly washed before refilling. Over time, ice can absorb unpleasant odors from the freezer. While freezing slows enzyme activity, it does not stop odor transfer, making it best to discard old ice cubes regularly.

Mystery Meat

Exposed, unsealed, and non-labeled meat products in your freezer should be discarded immediately. "To help eliminate that risk, clearly label everything after it has been packaged to minimize freezer burn," says Stover. "Store-wrapped packages like chicken and ground beef on styrofoam are not intended for the freezer, so it is recommended to remove them and repackage."

After repackaging, attach the original label with the weight, product name, and date so you can identify the product in the event of a food recall.

Foods Exposed to Leaking Raw Meat

If you notice raw meat has leaked in your freezer, discard any food that came into contact with the juices, says Erica Reister, a food safety educator at Michigan State University Extension. Disinfect the freezer as well.

How to Keep Your Freezer Clean and Food-Safe

• Thaw your freezer once a year: To keep your freezer free of frost and food particles, Reister recommends thawing it once a year for a deep clean. After thawing, clean and sanitize all interior surfaces to maintain a safe food storage environment, she says.
• Label repackaged foods: Labeling frozen foods helps ensure you use them before they sit too long, reducing food waste and lowering the risk of unsafe storage. To know how long certain items last in the freezer, check the USDA list.
• Follow the first-in, first-out rule: To stay organized and minimize waste, keep an updated list of freezer contents and date each item so you can follow the first-in, first-out method. "When I am planning meals for the week, I take a look at the list and can easily see what I have and what I need to add to my shopping list," says Stover.
• Use baking soda to absorb odors: To reduce unpleasant freezer odors, Stover recommends keeping an open box of baking soda in the freezer to absorb lingering smells.