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Tag: Frozen Food

Not All Frozen Entrees are the Same

Posted on by Karen Blakeslee
Microwave
Know your microwave! Stir or rotate food for even cooking. Check the temp! Photo: USDA

When buying frozen entrées, it is important to read the instructions for safe preparation. Just because the entrée looks brown and precooked on the package picture, it may be a raw product. A recent recall of raw frozen breaded stuffed chicken due to a Salmonella outbreak is a reminder of this important step.

Not all microwave foods are pre-cooked to be heated in the microwave. Some are raw foods that require cooking in the oven. Therefore, reading the package for preparation instructions is important. If the microwave is recommended cooking appliance, know the wattage of your oven to get the proper amount of heat to the food.

Whether using the microwave or the oven, always use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature. Learn more at USDA Preparing Frozen Food.

Using Frozen Vegetables

Posted on by Karen Blakeslee

frozen vegetablesWhile fresh vegetables can be a risk for foodborne illness, there have been instances where frozen vegetables have been linked to foodborne illness outbreaks.

It is important to handle frozen produce properly to prevent the spread of germs to your food and kitchen. From research, the USDA found:

  • When preparing the frozen corn for a salad, almost all participants in the study failed to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to check that it reached a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. A food thermometer is the only safe way to know if it reaches that temperature.
  • Even if you are preparing a cold salad, frozen produce must be cooked first.

Source: https://bit.ly/32nbpkB

Safely Preparing Frozen Foods

Posted on by Karen Blakeslee
frozen food
Photo: USDA ARS

When shopping the frozen food case, be aware that not all frozen foods are prepared  the same. Don’t assume that all frozen foods are equal when it comes to preparing them for consumption.

Consumers may not know that some frozen foods are not fully cooked or ready to eat, especially if they have browned breading, grill marks or other signs that normally show that a product has been cooked. In a recent FSIS observational study, 22 percent of participants said a not-ready-to-eat frozen chicken entrée was either cooked, partially cooked, or they weren’t sure that the product was in fact raw.

The best advice is to read the cooking or preparation instructions on the package. This is specific to that product. The instructions may only have one cooking method or possibly multiple methods. This is important for all frozen foods whether they are vegetables or meat products. If the package states “not ready to eat” that means some form of cooking, baking or roasting must take place. Always use a food thermometer to check final temperatures.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/33TK8qT.

 

Reference to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation. Paid for by Kansas State University