Our refrigerators are a repository of all kinds of leftovers and freezers help to extend the expiry of many perishable foods. A packet of processed food, raw chicken or meat, curries, soups and stews and so much more can go in to a freezer giving these foods longevity. However, food items cannot be kept in the freezer forever, considering they are perishable in nature and will eventually get stale. Have you ever given a thought to how long these foods can actually sustain in a freezer? You could keep them for as long as you like but there would definitely be a loss of taste and quality after a period of time. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), since product dates aren’t a guide for safe use of a product, there are time limits that are given to certain foods in order to prevent them from spoiling.

What foods are generally stored in the freezer?

Foods that can be stored in a freezer may include eggs, fresh poultry, sausages, meat leftovers, curries, soups and stews, hot dogs, fish and vegetables like peas, sprouts and beans.

Foods that you should not store in the freezer

This list includes coffee, buttermilk, puddings, salads and salad dressing, carbonated drinks, lettuce, potatoes (unless they are mashed), mayonnaise, sour cream, custards, apples, melons and eggplant among others.

According to Dietitian and Nutritionist, Dr. Sunali Sharma from Amandeep Hospital, possible for everyone, “Cooked or uncooked food, when stored in a freezer would technically be preserved forever, but they would not taste the same forever. These foods when taken out, thawed and cooked would lack the freshness, and you will miss the flavours & textures of the fresh foods. This may be avoided when the foods are vacuum packed and then stored.”

Here is how long some regular foods last in the freezer as suggested by Dr. Sharma. Some of these are shocking!