How long to keep frozen cryovaced meat

[GlorifiedRice]

Hi,

I have 2 packages of frozen cryovacked (does the K belong there grammatically?) cooked lobster tails. I have had them for 4 years. They have NO visible freezer damage. Are they still safe?

[Darren72]

Hi,

I have 2 packages of frozen cryovacked (does the K belong there grammatically?) cooked lobster tails. I have had them for 4 years. They have NO visible freezer damage. Are they still safe?

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Most websites that I checked indicate that frozen shellfish can be kept for about 6 months.

Personally, I'd feel comfortable pushing that by a few months, but not 4 years.

[slkinsey]

In what way wouldn't they be "safe"? They might not be good, but something kept at 5 degrees F should be "safe" pretty much until the end of time, I'd think.

Most sources I've seen (like this one say something like "Frozen foods remain safe indefinitely; storage recommendations are for quality only."

Clearly, after 4 years there is likely to be some decline in quality (although at "deep freeze" temperatures, I'm not sure this would be true).

Edited June 7, 2007 by slkinsey (log)

[DCP]

I have 2 packages of frozen cryovacked (does the K belong there grammatically?) cooked lobster tails. I have had them for 4 years. They have NO visible freezer damage. Are they still safe?

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Quality might suffer, but as slkinsey points out, they're safe - if and only if they've been stored below 5 deg. F (or 0 deg. F according to the linked source). If you've had any long power outages that might have exposed the meat to higher temperatures, there's a chance for bacterial growth.

Personally, I'd use them - but expect a noticeable decline in flavor since the original packing.

[scubadoo97]

My mom use to be a compulsive buyer and we had two freezers in the garage growing up that were full of meats and all sorts of things. It was not unusual for her to have kosher chickens that were several years old. I can assure you that it is safe. I'm sure it has acquired at least some freezer taste if not burn. I say defrost it and smell it. What do you have to lose.

[snowangel]

I'd imagine that if the taste isn't compromised, the texture probably will be, but, depending on how you're going to use it, who knows.

I'd give it a test before just pitching. But, remember one thing about the deep freeze. It is not a safe deposit box.

[DCP]

But, remember one thing about the deep freeze.  It is not a safe deposit box.

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Why not? I thought stacks of bills kept better in the freezer than the mattress.

[rooftop1000]

at the very least if it doesnt smell funky you mix it with some fresh tomatoes, cream and herbs and toss over pasta...that would cover some "textural difficulties"

and sounds damn tasty too

tracey