My family has some chicken in the freezer. The "SELL BY" date was 5 days ago. Is it to old to eat, or is it safe to eat?
2007-11-01 09:28:32 · 32 answers · asked by J C 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
NO not chicken if it was juice manybe
2007-11-01 09:30:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
If the chicken was kept cold in the fridge (not counting the trip from the store to home) and was frozen before the sell by date, it's FINE. Don't worry.
However, if it sat out on the counter for a couple of hours, probably not a good idea. Bacteria multiply quickly when raw meat is held at temps above 36 deg. F.
2007-11-01 09:34:41 · answer #2 · answered by Carol G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 'sell by' date refers to when the chicken should be EITHER cooked or frozen. It does not refer to when it goes bad in the freezer. Check with this webpage
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/
--Will food that’s stored in a freezer for a long period of time be safe to eat?
Safe food that was properly handled and stored at 0° F (-18° C) will remain safe. Only the quality of foods suffers with lengthy freezer storage. Tenderness, flavor, aroma, juiciness, and color of frozen foods can all be affected.
Does freezing affect the level of nutrients contained in foods?
Fortunately, the freezing process itself does not reduce nutrients, and, for meat and poultry products, there is little change in protein value during freezing.
Does “freezer burn” make food unsafe?
Freezer burn is a food-quality issue, not a food safety issue. It appears as grayish-brown leathery spots on frozen food. It occurs when air reaches the food’s surface and dries out the product. This can happen when food is not securely wrapped in air-tight packaging. Color changes result from chemical changes in the food’s pigment. Although undesirable, freezer burn does not make the food unsafe. It merely causes dry spots in foods. Cut away these areas either before or after cooking the food. When freezing food in plastic bags, push all the air out before sealing.
2007-11-01 09:43:08 · answer #3 · answered by t. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wouldn't eat it....i know your thinking about wasting money but....bad chicken can be deadly....
the fact that it has been frozen may add a couple of days though...i'm not sure...think about it...in the grocery store they have the chicken chilled....and they expect to keep these on the shelves until the sell by date and the consumer is expected to eat the chicken within 1 week..... that a little background....
anyway my grandmother always says...."If its in the freezer its okay!"
(granted she was born in 1921 and was taught to throw away nothing!)
The choice is yours!
2007-11-01 09:36:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was purchased 3-4 days before the "use by or freeze by date", then it should be fine, since it has been frozen since then. Upon natural thawing, if you have any doubts what-so-ever, then don't eat it. Bacteria does not stop growing in the freezer, it only suspends it. But, I honestly think it will be safe to eat. Happy Cooking to you!
2016-03-13 09:38:03 · answer #5 · answered by Alice 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming you are talking about raw chicken, as long at the bird was kept frozen, it will safe to eat for about 3 months. The quality of the meat will suffer the longer it's kept frozen. Personally, I never freeze raw chicken as I prefer fresh chicken.
2007-11-01 09:34:05 · answer #6 · answered by Wolfy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't listen to Surprise. He/She can't even spell Maybe.
If the chicken has been in the freezer since before the "Sell By" date then its just fine. We all buy items and freeze them.
If the chicken has not been in the freezer like your question states then no don't eat it.
2007-11-01 09:32:44 · answer #7 · answered by Jayme 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it's been frozen since you purchased it, yes it's safe to eat.
Thaw it out, does it smell bad - if so toss it. Chicken is one of those meats you don't take a chance with.
2007-11-01 09:31:36 · answer #8 · answered by Fester Frump 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it has been sealed properly and has not been exposed to the outside air, it should be just fine. But the sooner you eat it, the better. At some point, freezer burn will set in and then it's garbage.
Also, once it has defrosted, you can tell by the smell.
Bon apetit!
2007-11-01 09:31:41 · answer #9 · answered by The Lizard Queen 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
if it's in a deep freeze, it should be fine well beyond the sell by date. that date is for storage in retail store shelves, which don't keep the meat frozen solid. the only thing to worry about in this case would be freezer burn which would make the chicken taste weird.
2007-11-01 09:37:30 · answer #10 · answered by mizzouswm 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Safe for sure. They just have to sell it by then, and usually theirs isn't frozen..
On the other hand. You should never be to cautious with chicken, if your concerned don't eat it to be on the safe side.
2007-11-01 09:36:24 · answer #11 · answered by idontknow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋