Stupid Question

[Reeferer]

I let PE Mysis shrim defrost and then put them back into the freezer. Is this a problem? (eg. people get sick when they defrost and refreeze food and then cook and eat it.)

 

[AV8er]

I would recommend that you don't use mysis that was accidentally defrosted.

The packaging for cyclop-eeze specifically says not to use their product if it has defrosted (actually it says "Do not allow to thaw.") I don't see why that wouldn't apply to other frozen foods.

In any event, it's not really worth the risk IMO.

Jon

 

[ReeferMedic]

I've had them defrost completely, refroze, and fed on many occasions and never had a problem.

 

[Reeferer]

So 1 yay and 1 nay.... Anyone else want to chime in and offset the the tie?

 

[Scott]

I think the risk from re-freezing human food comes if you thaw it in an unsafe environment, like in the open air, where bacteria can get at it. So you're basically contaminating your food and then refreezing that.

If you thaw food in its already air-tight packaging, especially in a safe place like the fridge, it is probably safe to freeze again.

I say probably because if you leave it thawed too long, any bacteria that was already in there may have had time to activate and grow.

Long story short, I'm with Don. If it thawed out for only a short amount of time and didn't have time to go bad, I think you're safe.

Even the USDA says it's ok, but note that they specify thawed in the refrigerator.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Focus_On_Freezing/index.asp

Refreezing
Once food is thawed in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze it without cooking, although there may be a loss of quality due to the moisture lost through defrosting. After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods. If previously cooked foods are thawed in the refrigerator, you may refreeze the unused portion.

If you purchase previously frozen meat, poultry or fish at a retail store, you can refreeze if it has been handled properly.

 

[chris8903]

I agree with reeferer!!

 

[ReeferMedic]

On one occasion, I won a few at a past auction and had a few packages thaw completely. They sat for hours before I got home. They were actually warm when I did get home. I refroze them and fed as normal without any problems. If it were an open package, I probably would not have saved it.

 

[AV8er]

Gentlemen... you've convinced me. As long as it has not been defrosted for too long, you are probably good to go.

But I'm just curious.. why do you think it would be different for cyclop-eeze? (e.g., the packaging says not to allow the product to thaw).

 

[Scott]

why do you think it would be different for cyclop-eeze? (e.g., the packaging says not to allow the product to thaw).

I don't think it's any different. Just manufacturers being cautious.

 

[Reeferer]

Thanks all for your imput. Looks like the fish are having refreezed shrimp for dinner.