What Happens to Food if Held in a Freezer at 30 Degrees?

Question

The USDA suggests that refrigerators maintain a maximum temperature of 40 degrees F. Of course you want a minimum temperature of about 33, since you don't want your food freezing in there.

The USDA suggests a temperature of 0 degrees F for freezers. Since meat and other items freeze solid at 32 degrees F, what can happen to foods that are frozen in the range between 0 degrees F and 30 degrees F?

I ask because my freezer can only go as low as 15 degrees F, and sometimes creeps up to 28 degrees or so.

To be clear: What happens to the food that is frozen, but is at a temperature between 0 degrees F and 30 degrees F? Bacterial action? Off flavors? Off textures and colors? Any health risks, or just less shelf life?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Food won't last as long as it would at zero. Water will freeze at 32 but other fats and oils won't.