When something on a label says 'Can be frozen for up to 2 months' what does it mean?

Question

On a cookie dough container, the expiration date is December 11, 2006. It says that it can be frozen for two months. Does that mean two months after the expiration date, or it can only be frozen for two months prior to the expiration date? Please clear this up for me. And, is it okay to thaw frozen cookie dough at room temperature?

Answer 1

It means the dough can be frozen for up to 2 months. It doesn't matter when you freeze it--you can freeze it on the expiration date, and it will be okay when it thaws. However, once you thaw it, you will need to use it up right away.

The reason you can only freeze it for 2 months is because the baking powder will lose strength, and the defrost cycle of the freezer will cause changes in the dough's texture (it might get freezer burned for instance). That, and it would likely pick up odors from the freezer, and your cookies will taste like freezer.

Although no home-ec expert would tell you to thaw cookie dough at room temperature, if it's an industrial cookie dough such as you have, which is made with pasteurized ingredients and likely has preservatives, it shouldn't be a problem to thaw at room temperature. Again, you would need to use up all the dough right away after thawing. But there is another problem with thawing the dough at room temperature--once thawed, the dough might be too soft to slice and shape properly (if your particular dough requires this).

Answer 2

It means that if you bung it into the freezer on or before 11 December 06, you can keep it frozen for up to two months after the date on which you froze it. You can thaw cookie dough at room temperature if you keep an eye on it so it doesn't sit out at room temp after it's already thawed. It's always safest, of course, to thaw the stuff in the fridge. Give it 2-3 days to thaw in the fridge, if you have time. Otherwise, thaw it at room temp but keep an eye on it.

Whenever you're uncertain about food safety, it's very wise of you to ask!

Answer 3

You may freeze it not more than 2 months.
You can put the dough in the freezer, immediately after you've bought it, but latest at the expiration date. The 2 months start, when you put it in the freezer.
I thaw any kind of dough usually in the refrigerator, even if this takes longer. If I must thaw dough quickly at room temperature, I always have an eye on it - or better both.

Answer 4

The expiration date is the date set by the manufacturer to tell the consumer after that date theproduct cannot be guaranteed in perfect condition. It doesn't mean it's necessarily spoiled beyond that time. Just don't complain after that date that it wasn't up to your expectations. The period mentioned that it can be kept frozen, again, is for your information that it has been determined this is the longest time it will last frozen before the freezing process will begin to deteriorate the product. Again, it isn't going to go bad under freezer storage, but after that time, just don't look for it to be in prime condition for looks and flavor
The expiration date is also something to look for because the grocer is not allowed legally to offer for sale beyond that date, unless he wants to offer it at a reduced price, and in such a way that it is brought to the attention of the consumer that it is beyond expiry. But, if you buy a refrigerated item that is going to expire in, let's say, a week's time, you can still prolong its life for up to two months in the freezer. It also provides you with the information that the product CAN be refrigerated, whereas you may find other items in your grocer's refrigerated section that says on the package "Do Not Freeze"

Answer 5

That means you can freeze it for 2 months, doesn't matter if it is frozen the day before it expires.

Answer 6

It means it has preservatives and no nutrition.

Just get some eggs, flour, butter (organic), sugar and chips and make some fresh ones.