How Frozen Foods save money time labour in Hospitality industry today

July 20, 2021 Team DigitalGumma

Are frozen foods considered part of fmcg industry?

FMCG companies are experimenting with newer ready-to-eat products. They are expanding the range of frozen food products in an attempt to diversify and make themselves more appealing to consumers for whom elaborate cooking is not always an option and prefer a quick heat-and-eat style.

In the beginning, the frozen food industry was offering basic frozen vegetables and fries. But today, it provides a wide range of products, from fruits, vegetables and frozen meats to snacking and full meal options.

Companies like Sumeru Foods, ITC and Amul are trying to convince consumers that frozen food is not less healthy than products that are touted as ‘fresh’.

Mithun Appaiah, Chief Executive of Sumeru Foods, said, “The route for growth in this segment is to make customers think otherwise. The company has tied up with Alfred Prasad, the youngest Indian chef to get a Michelin star, to launch a range of products in chicken kebabs, paneer and French fries curated by him, under the Classiques brand. It has also launched parathas, not just the traditional onion and aloo ones, but also ajwain, methi and jeera parathas.”

Last year, consumer goods behemoth ITC entered the frozen foods and snacks segment by selling frozen prawns under the MasterChef brand. The firm expanded the range of products to fried potatoes, chicken products, falafel, batata vada, pizza pockets, chicken keema patties.

Earlier this year, Amul entered this market with its Happy Treats brand. This brand provides six varieties in the frozen potato snacks category, which includes aloo tikki, french fries, potato wedges and veggie stix.

The answer is definitely Yes!.

In India Frozen Foods supplies consist a wide range of frozen foods such as frozen Vegtables & Fruits, Frozen Breads & Snacks and Frozen Sea Foods.

In this fast moving world, not many people get the time to cook according to traditional Indian practices. Frozen dinners give busy people a way to feed themselves and their families healthy meals in minutes. Frozen food contains no preservatives. These Frozen Products can hold their nutritional values for two years if stored at -18°C/0°F or below. Freezing suspends microbial and fungal activity in the food. As long as the food remains frozen, it is safe. Explore the widest and the most amazing range of products with us.

Good food is something that everyone likes and with the growing trend of attempting a hand at fancy dishes right in the comfort of your house, growing culture of food influencers sharing their tips and tricks to try when trying out your favourite recipes, a lot of people have discovered their hidden culinary skills. But leading a busy household and professional life, the passion for cooking has become difficult to indulge in nowadays and that’s where frozen foods come to the rescue.

The Indian frozen foods market was valued at around Rs 74 billion in 2018 and is further projected to reach a value Rs 188 billion by 2024, expanding at a CAGR of around 17% from 2019 to 2024. They are gradually becoming more and more popular among consumers in India due to the increasing self-awareness among consumers of its easy availability and high quality.

Research states that frozen snacks dominate Indian frozen food market due to their high demand especially frozen potatoes-based products in metro, tier I and tier II cities. Even though statistics indicate otherwise, the category is still in its nascent stage in India as consumer penetration in the category is approximately only 1% which makes it more interesting since it presents a great opportunity to exploit in the Indian market.

The frozen food’s standard product offerings were limited to options like green peas, smileys, nuggets, French fries and sausages. But, the unique Indian palettes require a different taste and therefore companies have come up with new and more Indian variants within frozen foods with items like samosas, cutlets, kebabs, and parathas among others. This provides a great opportunity for companies to capture the Indian market while offering standard staples that comprise fruits like strawberries, vegetables like peas and corn, bakery and dairy products along with ready-to-cook meals, diet snacks, healthy frozen alternatives, drinks and so on.

Ready-to-eat frozen foods are also majorly used in dessert application like ice cream and frozen yogurt which are further increasing the growth. But initially, the industry only offered frozen vegetables and fries. Today, it delivers wide variety ranging from fruits, vegetables to frozen meat, read-to-cook snacks, full meals, desserts and so on.

Among these, frozen snacks and vegetables are the largest categories in terms of sales volume summing up to 65% among the Indian customers. Urban areas account for 80 per cent of the demand which include bakery, dairy, canned, frozen, ready-to-eat meals, diet snacks, health products and drinks among others.

With the whole country on lockdown and most people working from home, frozen-food products have been flying off the shelves over the past few weeks. Corona virus having affected the restaurant business, has left the public in fear of ordering in thus, adding to the picking momentum of frozen foods. The latest trend that can be seen is that since there is no school, children’s demand for Maggi and pasta along with parathas has increased multifold.

Further, many bachelors and students are stranded in PGs and do not have access to a kitchen to prepare meals. Since frozen food is simple to prepare, it has become one of the best meal alternatives. For example, if a young woman is staying as a paying guest in a city, not only does she have to manage a demanding job which takes up most of her time but also manage household work, buying groceries and preparing meals that leave her exhausted. To add to that, deciding what meal to prepare apart from the very low ingredient availability due to Covid-19, frozen foods have proven to be a saving grace in their routines.

Thus, the scenario for Indian frozen food industry is projected to grow by 17 per cent annually during 2020-24 as the Corona virus pandemic has made people conscious about healthy choices while buying daily essentials. It can therefore be assumed that consumers will change their brand preference and move towards those brands which display guaranteed safe, regulated plants and processing properties for manufacturing, clean and pure ingredients and safe handling of products. Post-Covid-19, frozen food brands shall get more acceptance from consumers and the consumer penetration into the category is going to thus rapidly increase in India. The same trend is now visible not only in the Indian market but also in all the Asian markets.

However, Covid-19 is not the only factor that has contributed to growth of the frozen food category in India. From the influence of Western culture having changed food habits and lifestyles, to the booming e-commerce sector which offers online platforms that have a high product visibility compared to traditional platforms, have all facilitated greater penetration of frozen food products in India.

Moreover, rising urbanization has given rise to organised retail sector which are equipped with cold chain facilities making a variety of frozen foods available. Thus changing psychologies and shifting shopping patterns, shortage of time and hectic lifestyles and rising disposable incomes of the middle class are greatly benefiting demand of frozen foods.

While frozen food is generally considered as convenient it is often perceived to be unhealthy, a consumer misconception the sector has grappled with for a while now. Often consumers assume what is available as fresh is better, but it is not necessarily true since fresh foods also take time from getting harvested, packed, shipped to being bought by the customer and finally eaten later.

Freezing is known to increase the shelf life of the food without compromising with the nutritious components. Thus the act of freezing does not make food any less healthy. The health aspect of food depends entirely on its nutritional content and how it’s preserved while being frozen. Therefore, without compromising with any of the content, frozen food undoubtedly becomes a healthy companion of ours.

Frozen food offers a practical alternative to busy households but preserving the original quality of the ingredients remains a challenge and primary concern of food producers and consumers. Therefore, businesses have invested in new technologies like IQF, quick freezing and high quality of inputs to protect the freshness and nutritional properties of fresh.

In response to Covid-19 pandemic, the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India i.e. the FSSAI, has taken several steps to facilitate the industry during lockdown. Some of the guidelines included expediting work related to licensing on the online portal, creating robust complaint handling mechanism and only essential inspections among others.

Realising the need for training food handlers, FSSAI has started training food handlers under its flagship Food Safety Training & Certification programme. Besides training the FSSAI has also undertaken to counter myths and misinformation related to the food category including frozen foods. FSSAI has communicated them to be false along with instructing states/UTs to follow a non-discriminatory approach while dealing with food businesses in the lockdown and even post-lockdown. It has also issued detailed guidelines on food safety and hygiene for food businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic which are being followed by companies because the industry understands the requirements of its customers and their need for eating healthy.

With the world having changed around us forever, the demand for frozen foods is only going to increase. Awareness around how frozen foods are not only easy, convenient, quick snacking and full meal options but also that their freshness and food composition remains intact will create a new thought process that will lead to more frozen foods consumption and higher consumer preference. As more consumers open up to include frozen foods into their lives, it is going to get easier to manage their busy lives along with doing justice to their taste buds.

Frozen foods can be tasty, are great to stock up on, and are extra convenient.
Frozen vegetables, particularly peas and corn, are big hits with chefs.
Some chefs said they enjoy Mrs. T’s pierogies and Eggo waffles.
Frozen products can be great to have on hand, especially if you’re looking to plan plenty of meals.
To figure out some of the best cold items to get at the grocery store, Insider asked chefs about their go-to picks.
Here are some of the best frozen ingredients, sides, meals, and desserts, according to the pros.
“As far as frozen foods go, I really like White Castle brand Sausage, Egg and Ghost Pepper Breakfast Slider. It’s got some kick to it, and it’s different from other breakfast sandwiches you’ll find in the frozen aisle.”
“When we teach culinary classes we want them to be approachable and if a bag of frozen corn is available versus fresh, we advise using it. I will use frozen corn and sauté with butter and herbs to freshen for soups or cornbread. I also use frozen edamame as it re-hydrated quite well for dishes.”
“As a professional chef and private caterer, I am always on the lookout for quality frozen seafood and SeaPak fits the bill for every occasion. Based on its, ‘restaurant quality’, taste, I always pick SeaPak when I have special party needs and am looking for already prepared seafood.”

“What you see as ‘fresh’ in a grocery store is almost always frozen, defrosted, and sitting out for a day or two at least. Same goes for a lot of steaks and meats that, when arriving frozen, often have a tighter and fresher tasting cold chain than what going to the store can get you.

“I think frozen peas are a great example of something that bodes well for customers as an item they feel excited and comfortable with as a quality frozen product, and I agree. I am still the guy with tote bags stuffed with nothing but fresh peas during their spring and summer seasons, but I’ve learned from a few great chefs that frozen peas can really taste great.”

— Chris Chapman, former Head Chef at Good Eggs

Up until recently, the Indian frozen food’s standard product offerings were limited to options like smileys, green peas, sausages, nuggets and French fries. In the span of just 5-10 years, however, we have seen a revolution in the frozen food industry. India is being looked at as a huge potential market for frozen foods.

The consumption of such foods right now is still negligible in comparison to the world due to a lot of reasons. A handful of existing players, the large population, higher-priced foods product, lower awareness among the consumers and infrastructure challenges such as the shortage of cold storage have proven to be barriers to the growth of the frozen food market.

But things are surely changing. From preparing a complete meal to opting for frozen food products, food consumption patterns have come a long way. India’s frozen food market is driven by the conveniences such food products offer. The afore mentioned challenges have posed an opportunity for the prominent global players to explore the market.

The frozen food market

In 2020, the frozen food market was valued at Rs 98.79 billion. It is expected to reach Rs 224.90 billion by 2025, augmenting at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.17 per ceny in the next five years.

The fact that there has been a significant rise in the number of millennial and gen-Z consumers among the semi-urban and urban people opting for improved awareness, convenience and acceptance of frozen food, gives India more opportunities to push the market forward.

Based on the sales channel, the market is divided into retailers, exporters and foodservice providers. In terms of revenue, the export segment accounted for 44.62 per cent of the overall revenue share in 2020, dominating the frozen food market.

The retailers’ segment was valued at Rs 25.81 billion in 2020 and is estimated to display a massive growth rate during the forecast period, rising at a CAGR of 20.94 per cent.

The segment of foodservice providers, on the other hand, was valued at Rs 28.90 billion in 2020. It is estimated to reach Rs 70.66 billion by 2025.

Based on region, the market has been divided into North India, South India and East India, West and Central India. North India accounts for the biggest share in the market among these.

In the scheme of things, the organized segment has been playing a crucial role in catering to increasing demand from both commercial as well as residential sectors of the market. Establishing infrastructures for modern retail stores in every part of the country has led to the increase in the dispensation of frozen food products.

Also, the traditional stores are being equipped with advanced freezing technologies, allowing them to stock up the frozen food inventory and attract more consumers.

Product offerings

Food type:

Meat and Seafood
Dairy Products
Fruits and Vegetables
Other

Food Form:

Raw Material
Ready-to-cook
Ready Made Food

When it comes to cuisine, India is known for its diversity. In order to satisfy the unique Indian palettes that require a different taste every now and then, companies have come up with more Indian variants within frozen foods with items like cutlets, samosas, parathas and kebabs, among others.

It has provided a great opportunity for companies to capture the Indian market by offering standard staples that comprise vegetables like peas and corn, fruits like strawberries, dairy and bakery products, along with diet snacks, drinks, ready-to-cook meals, healthy frozen alternatives, and so on.

Ready-to-eat frozen foods are mostly used in dessert applications like frozen yoghurt and ice cream which are further driving the growth.

Key Players

The key players of the India Frozen Food market are IFB Agro Industries Limited, McCain Foods (India) Private Limited, Godrej Tyson Foods Limited, Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Private Limited, Tanvi Foods, Venky’s (India) Limited, ITC Limited, Innovative Foods Limited, West Coast Fine Foods Private Limited, Vadilal Industries Limited, Gadre Marine Export Private Limited, Al Kabeer Exports Private Limited and Darshan Foods Private Limited, among others.

Moreover, with the evolution of modern retail outlets like Food Bazaar, DMart, Spencers, and online grocery stores like Big Basket and Grofers, the frozen food industry in India is witnessing positive growth.

What are the advantages of freezing food?

Frozen foods are an affordable way get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables. In fact, families who incorporate frozen foods into their normal routine may have better diet quality. With so many choices in the frozen foods aisle, there are plenty of opportunities to find something you like.

Benefits of Frozen

Fruits and vegetables are picked at peak ripeness and often frozen within hours, locking in nutrients and flavor. Generally, frozen foods retain their vitamins and minerals and there is no change to the carbohydrate, protein or fat content. In some cases, frozen foods have more vitamins and minerals compared to fresh because fresh foods lose vitamins and minerals over time while freezing preserves nutrients.

Frozen foods can be a convenient and affordable way to incorporate healthful foods from every food group, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, protein and dairy. In addition to a time-saving convenience, frozen foods can be a benefit for individuals with limited kitchen space or utensils. Not only can frozen foods be more affordable in price, but they also can aid in reducing food waste.

Why Is Frozen Food Beeter Than fresh?Choosing Wisely

Not all frozen foods are created equal — many can be high in saturated fat, added sugars and salt. When selecting frozen foods, look at the Nutrition Facts label and ingredients list and avoid those with added sauces.

When selecting frozen meals or convenience foods, compare Nutrition Facts labels to find nutritious choices. Keep in mind that some frozen dinners are considered more than one serving, which means you will need to double or triple the calories and nutrients listed in the Nutrition Facts if you eat the entire package. Choose those that are lower in saturated fat, added sugars, and salt and higher in fiber, vitamin and mineral contents.

Keep it Safe

To keep frozen foods safe, follow cooking methods specified on the package. The safest way to thaw frozen foods is in the refrigerator. When thawing meat in the refrigerator, make sure juices do not drip onto other foods. To thaw in a hurry, place the food in a leak-proof plastic bag and submerge it in cold water until thawed, replacing the cold water every half hour and cooking it immediately after thawing. Foods also can be thawed in the microwave and should be cooked immediately after thawing.

Freezing food helps us to extend shelf life, making it easier to store food longer. But did you know that there are other benefits of frozen food?

Let’s start at the very beginning. For over 3,000 years, people have found ways to store food in cold conditions in order to preserve crops and sustain themselves through the winter. Today, people freeze food for a wide variety of reasons, from the convenience and cost savings, to the nutritional benefits of preserving food at peak freshness.

It’s time we debunked the myth that fresh food is healthier than frozen. Freezing food allows us to essentially hit the “pause” button on the natural aging process of fresh food, locking in vitamins and nutrients for longer. Keep reading to learn about the key benefits of frozen food.

Convenience

Naturally, the most popular benefit of freezing food is convenience. Frozen meals are easy to transport to the office and quick to heat up at home after an intense session at the gym. Frozen fruit is a staple of morning smoothies, and freezing pre-chopped veggies makes soups, stir-fries, and side dishes fast and easy. When you freeze your own produce or order a ready-made frozen meal online, it’s ready when you are.

Are Frozen snacks Safe To Eat?Preserve nutrition at peak ripeness

Fresh food is great, but frozen food is often more nutrient-rich than produce at the grocery store. The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry published a study comparing vitamin retention in eight fruits and vegetables when they were refrigerated, versus when they were frozen. The study measured nutritional content of corn, carrots, broccoli, spinach, peas, green beans, strawberries, and blueberries at various stages of storage, and showed that the overall vitamin content of frozen foods is comparable, if not higher than their fresh counterparts.

Why is that the case? When you purchase a banana, it’s already traveled quite a long time before it reaches your local market. In order to arrive at the store ripe your produce gets picked before it reaches its peak, meaning it may never reach its full nutritional potential. In the days (or weeks) of travel from its home to yours, fresh produce has plenty of time for nutritional content to diminish, sometimes by up to 50%. In contrast, produce that’s destined to be frozen is usually picked at ideal ripeness, then flash-frozen, providing the best preservation of nutrients.

Make your food last longer

If you’re buying produce fresh, you can help preserve your fruit and veggies at their peak by properly storing produce in your freezer. Freezing food properly can help it stay nutritious and delicious for up to 18 months!

First, ensure you’re freezing food at the peak of freshness—ideally as soon as you get it home unless it’s under ripe. Next, wash and dry your produce before you put them in the freezer. Don’t put wet fruit or veggies in the freezer, or you’ll end up with a frozen brick that’s hard to separate or blend. Finally, ensure you’re freezing food in an airtight container to ensure maximum freshness. Freezer burn happens when frozen food is exposed to air. It’s essentially harmless but can affect flavor, texture, and nutrition.

Reducing food waste

Because freezing is a great way to increase the lifespan of your food, it can also help reduce unnecessary food waste. Have you ever been tempted by the cost savings of a bag of perfectly ripe avocados? Then you’re familiar with the struggle of trying to consume six avocados in a span of 24 hours. Rather than wilding-out on guacamole, dice them up, and throw the chunks into a freezer-friendly container. You can use them later for a smoothie booster. You’ll reduce your household food waste by prepping what you need for the next couple of days, then freezing the rest.

Bonus tip: Are you a dedicated composter? Try keeping your compost bin in your freezer. You’ll eliminate any unpleasant odors in your kitchen by delaying the decaying process until it hits your outdoor bin.

Balanced nutrition with guidance from Registered Dietitians

Mindful meal prep and freezing your fresh fruit and veggies can help you ensure you’re eating a balanced diet that meets nutritional guidelines from Registered Dietitians. In addition to freezing your own meals and ingredients, there are plenty of frozen food benefits that make it worth making it a part of your busy lifestyle.

4 Ways Frozen Food is Making your Kitchen More Efficient

What matters to you most during meal planning? Is it the ease of preparation, the affordability, the flavor, or the nutrition density? When it comes to planning the most efficient meals that check off all these boxes, frozen foods come to the rescue.

Whether you’re planning a recipe using frozen ingredients or preparing a quick pre-made meal on the go, frozen meal planning can help ensure you’re getting the most vitamins and nutrients for your buck.

How can frozen foods make your meal prep more efficient? Let’s take a look.

1. Frozen food saves you time.

Frozen foods are ready when you are. There’s no need to worry about food spoilage in the back of your fridge. Frozen meals are easy to grab on the go for a portable work lunch or a fast dinner on a busy day. With a microwave on hand, meals can be ready and on the table in minutes.

The time-saving benefits of frozen food don’t just stop there. Frozen fruits and veggies can also make for more efficient meal preparation. Many frozen produce options come pre-cut in bite-size chunks, saving time on washing and cutting. If you prefer to purchase produce raw, chopping it all at once and freezing it into recipe-sized portions can make throwing dinner together a breeze. Freezing produce locks in the nutrients at peak freshness, so you’ll be gaining the same nutritional benefits as if you bought that carrot on your commute home.

2. Freezing food helps reduce food waste.

A recent study by the US Department of Agriculture reported that while healthier diets (comprised of more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and less refined carbohydrates, animal products, and added sugar and sodium) have a lower environmental impact, they are also guiltiest of creating the most food waste. Why is that? In spite of their balanced diet, the healthiest Americans are more wasteful because the consumption of fresh produce and meat creates the largest amount of food spoilage and waste.

That’s not to say you should turn to a diet of refined carbs and sodium-heavy snacks! Freezing your produce and meat prevents them from spoiling in your fridge, reducing your overall food waste. Properly labeling your frozen supply is a great way to ensure you’re using everything in your frozen stash when they’re still at peak freshness.

TIP: Freeze meat in portion sizes that suit your family. This prevents thawing too much and helps guide portion sizes for the calorie-conscious.

Looking for more tips to reduce food waste in your home? Head over to the Harvard School of Public Health for more.

3. Freezer meals are more affordable.

Dining out can be an exciting treat, but relying on restaurants and take-out can quickly eat through your food budget. When you’re staring at an empty refrigerator, the temptation to pick up take-out is real. Making sure that your home is regularly stocked with nutritious frozen meals and produce is a great way to resist the urge and save money.

4. There are more healthy frozen meal options than you imagined.

As the popularity of frozen foods increases, the options at your local grocery store are increasing exponentially. Today’s frozen food section looks nothing like the salty TV dinners of yesteryear. Nearly every dietary need is accounted for, whether you’re sourcing gluten-free options, vegetarian and vegan diets, keto-friendly options, or health-conscious, low-sodium dinners.

At Performance Kitchen, it’s our mission to create delicious, nutritionally balanced meals that fit a wide variety of lifestyles, diets, and tastes. Our fresh produce is picked at peak ripeness and vitamin density, then flash-frozen, resulting in the optimal preservation of nutrients. Rather than relying on excess sodium and sugar to flavor our favorite foods, we use premium ingredients, herbs and spices to create our globally-inspired recipes.

Feeling inspired? We are! With the right grocery shopping habits and meal prep skills, frozen meals will always be ready whenever you are—now that’s efficient. What’s your favorite frozen food efficiency tip? Let us know in the comment

Amalgam Frozen Foods Pvt Ltd.
Godrej Agrovet Ltd.
ITC Ltd.
Venky’s (India) Ltd.
Capricorn Food Products India Ltd.
HyFun Frozen Foods Pvt. Ltd.
Innovative Foods Ltd.
Mother Dairy Fruit and Vegetable Pvt. Ltd.
Top Fresh International Pvt. Ltd.
McCain Foods (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Iscon Balaji

How Your Freezer Can Help Fight Food Waste?

To the rescue: Your freezer. It can bridge the gap between the food you use and the food that ultimately gets tossed. The first step toward reducing food waste is to take a critical look at your lifestyle. Fresh produce is one of the most-wasted foods. Most of us are well-intentioned, stock piling veggies at the start of the week so we can take advantage of the bounty without having to replenish. But our plans often get derailed. Perhaps it’s a lack of recipes that make use of the fresh produce or even a late night at the office that demands a takeout meal.

Getting to know all the things that can be safely stored in the freezer is key in reducing food waste. And buying frozen versions of your favorite fruits and veggies is another good move. They are a perfectly nutritious alternative for fresh, and just like your BFF, they’re always there when you need them! Most fresh produce can also be frozen, however a blanching step is often needed—worth the few extra minutes of prep rather than contributing to food waste.

The list of things that can be frozen is practically endless. Meats and poultry and grated cheese are especially easy to store, as are pre-cooked pastas, sauces, whole grains, and cooked hearty vegetables. Place them in resealable containers and store until ready to enjoy. Leftovers can get a new life if frozen and reheated when you need a last-minute meal.

Fighting food waste is easy when you effectively use your freezer to preserve food. Remember your lifestyle habits matter, too. Take notice of what foods you waste – that simple step can help you identify those missed opportunities for preservation. Finally, ensure your freezer is running at zero fahrenheit or below in order to safely store your foods. And the next time you’re at the store, pick up some freezer-friendly storage bags and containers.

Is Frozen Food Safe? Can It Cause Cancer?When should you throw out frozen food?

There is no evidence to suggest that frozen foods cause cancer. Freezing is commonly used to increase a food’s shelf life and store foods for extended periods. Bringing foods down to below 0°C will stop spoilage caused by micro-organisms that may be present in food.

Snap freezing fruits and vegetables can actually help to retain their vitamin and mineral content. Ironically, refrigeration may even help reduce cancer risk by preventing Heliobactor pylori bacteria growing in foods that are spoiling. Heliobactor pylori is associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer. Some reports have suggested that frozen potato chips have been linked with increased cancer risk because the intense cooking process used to commercially-produce some starch-based foods like potato chips, crisps and other snack foods causes the production of a chemical called acrylamide.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has identified acrylamide as ‘potentially carcinogenic to humans’. While more investigation is being conducted to determine the extent of any potential cancer risk, people should limit their consumption of these processed foods because they are often high in fat, kilojoules, sugars and/or salt.

Frozen fruit and vegetables can be a convenient way of getting our recommended two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables each day (maintaining a healthy diet can help reduce your risk of cancer), but the freezer section of the local supermarket also contains a lot of unhealthy foods like pies and pastries, fatty meat products and sugary desserts. Remember to use food labels to make sure you are making healthier choices.

As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.

After a power outage never taste food to determine its safety. You will have to evaluate each item separately—use this chart as a guide. When in Doubt, Throw it Out!

1.It’s been exposed to too much or too little air.

2. change in shape,the color has changed.It’s an unidentifiable food object.

3.The Refrigerator has a leak.The Food has undergone temperature abuse.It smells “off” once thawed. Repeated change in temperature can spoil the food.

Is freezer burn bad eating? Why does frozen food have ice in it? Is it safe to eat frozen food that has ice on it?

Even under perfect storage conditions, all frozen items have “best by” dates, Palafox explains.

“Food frozen in an ideal manner will always be safe to consume, but its quality, nutritional value, and flavor will decrease over time. Over time, the dry climate will zap food of its moisture,” she says.

Follow these government food safety recommendations for “expirations.”

1-2 months: Pizza, raw sausage and bacon
2-4 months: Prepared meats, doughs, vegetables, fruits, soups, and stews
6-12 months: Raw red meat and poultry

“Otherwise, keep an eye on color, texture, and overall physical appearance—as mentioned above—to see if they are still prime for eating,” she says.

It’s just as big of a problem if something nearby leaked onto something else. This cross-contamination can affect both the quality and the safety of your food. Follow grandma’s sage advice: When in doubt, throw it out.

Perhaps a lid got dislodged by another container, or a baggie was punctured by a sharp corner. Whatever the cause, the solution is to trash (or, ideally, compost) it.

“Airtight storage is your best friend when it comes to freezing. It will ensure longer shelf life and a higher quality of a product,” Palafox says.

Follow your nose; your senses don’t ever let you down for a reason. They’re usually right!

“This is a case where you should use your senses. If the item smells wrong when thawed, then throw it out. It might not be harmful, but it definitely won’t be tasty,” Lam says.