What temperature should a freezer be?

UK public health guidance, set by the FSA, gives two values depending on whether the food is being stored or displayed (e.g., in a supermarket freezer cabinet).

Food that is being stored should be at or below -18°C, while food intended for display, can be a little warmer at -12°C.

At these frigid temperatures, bacteria and other micro-organisms will not multiply at all. That's why food that has been stored correctly in a fridge freezer can be safely consumed several months after it was first frozen.

However, you should still limit the amount of time you store frozen items for because food which has been frozen for too long will lose nutritional value and suffer from taste and texture changes.

How long should food be stored in a freezer for?

Typical guidance for storing common frozen items are:

• Fish, sausages, ready meals, cakes and pastries: 6 months
• Meat: 8 months
• Fruit and vegetables: 12 months

The longer you store food in the freezer, the higher the risk of freezer burn.

What is freezer burn? And how can you avoid it?

All foods contain a certain amount of moisture. Whenever water vapour contacts the cold, dry air inside a freezer, it will turn directly into ice (sublimate).

Time and temperature fluctuations help more of the food's internal moisture to escape, along with much of its flavour and nutrients. This leads to dry, tasteless and poor quality food - even though it is technically still edible.

Food that has been affected by freezer burn will usually be covered in ice crystals and appear shrivelled and discoloured.

What temperature should a freezer be to avoid freezer burn? As long as the food is frozen properly, the actual temperature isn't that important. The best way to avoid freezer burn is to package food well, thus reducing its exposure to the air, and to keep the temperature constant.

Regularly opening the freezer door is a common culprit for causing freezer burn as is storing food for too long.

Help! We've had a power cut

If you're frantically asking, 'What temperature should a freezer be? because you've experienced a power cut or suddenly noticed your food thawing, you do have a 48 hour window of opportunity to avoid wastage.

FSA guidance says that, during this time, you can safely re-freeze food providing the temperature hasn't risen above 4°C. Of course, guidelines are subject to change so please double check the current advice first.

What should you do if your freezer temperature is too high?

Your first consideration should be the health and safety of anyone who might consume the food that you have been storing. If there is any chance that your freezer has been above -18°C for more than 48 hours, it is best to dispose of the food and attend to fixing your fridge before re-stocking.

If there is a lot of ice build-up, start by defrosting your freezer thoroughly. If that doesn't solve the problem, clean the coils behind the unit and check the door seals (gaskets). Sometimes, something as simple as a dirty gasket can cause the freezer door to admit warm air.

From 'What temperature should a freezer be?' to 'How do I clean a dirty fridge gasket?' you will find answers to most of your freezer queries in our blog. If you still need advice, please call or email us.

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