Some foods have naturally longer shelf lives, if they are stored properly. They can even be kept for months or years. Usually due to a high oil or moisture content, the food items spoil quickly. There is only one option that is to store them dried or canned, if you want them to last for a longer period. There are a lot of foods that spoil faster than you would think.
Storing food in a commercial kitchen helps to keep your frozen food items stored for a longer period of time while maintaining the freshness. Commercial freezers are designed to maintain a specific temperature required for your food items. They are beneficial to keep your food products safe for a longer period of time.
There are a lot of advantages of stocking a pantry with things. One thing that should be kept in mind is to calculate their shelf life.
To see the advantages of stocking a pantry with things that will be good to eat for long periods of time, you don’t have to be worried about the doomsday.
In many categories, many kinds of food, including both fresh and dried produce are known for their longevity. In many refrigeration units, there is a list of food items available that needs to be stored.
The lifespan of most food items whose shelf life is less than expected, needs to be properly stored in a temperature-controlled refrigerator. Store freezers have brought many more options with evolving technology. With the advent of technology, you can store and keep your edibles at a certain temperature for a longer period.
High temperatures and moisture will shorten the lifespan of your food items. These food items will tend to change over time in colour, flavour, and texture. Somewhat earlier, they maybe at their peak but due to climate constraints they can change in texture.
1. Beef
• Shelf life: 1 to 2 years
To last a long time as a sustenance in the world, beef is used for various parts of the world to last a long time. It’s salted, lean, and dried and can be froze for later use. To stay edible for a long time, all the qualities should be there in a beef to maximize its worth.
2. Canned fruits and vegetables
Shelf life: 1 to 2 years past “best by” date
Preserving food while keeping it canned is an extremely efficient means. The contents of canned food should stay good for two years or more, if they are not subject to intense heat. Be very vigilant of dented cans or the ones with swollen tops which may indicate the presence of bacteria.
3. Dried pasta
Shelf life: 1 to 2 years that has past “best by” date.
The pasta is indestructible which is made with just semolina flour and water. However, its richer counterparts, like fresh pasta which is usually made with eggs should be kept refrigerated.
4. Stock cubes
Shelf life: 2 years
These useful little blocks of instant stock or soup are very vulnerable to moisture and oxygen. 24 months is the minimum time they will last, so, keep them well-sealed and dried.
5. Bakery items
Shelf life: 3 months
Cold temperatures slow down the growth of bacteria without changing the physical state of the object (i.e liquid to solid or vice versa).
It is recommended to keep the bakery items in the refrigerator to make sure they retain their texture and taste of baked goods. Most bakery items will go straight to the freezer for longer use as cold air is extremely drying.
Similarly, pizza doughs should be kept refrigerated at a specific temperature.
6. Chicken
The chicken will be kept safe for an indefinite period of time, if it is frozen properly. Whole raw chicken should be kept in the freezer for up to one year, parts for 9 months, and giblets or ground chicken for 3 to 4 months.
*Do not freeze your chicken again once it is defrosted as it may cause severe food poisoning due to the growth of bacteria.
7. Vegetables
Shelf Life: 8-12 months
Up to 8-12 months, frozen vegetables can last. Depending on the best by date, the preparation method, and how they are stored their frozen life varies depending on best by date.
*Do not continuously refreeze them and try to maintain a constant temperature to avoid any contamination.
8. Ice cream and desserts
Shelf Life: 2-3 months
Before putting any desert in your refrigerator, make sure to check the temperature. The maximum temperature is 0°F (-18°C) or colder. In the case of a commercial freezer the temperature should not be above 10°F (-12°C). Ice cream will be thoroughly frozen and will feel hard to touch, if kept at a proper temperature. You may need to bring that to the attention of the store manager if the product is soft.
Conclusion
Within an appropriate timeframe, you must make sure that cold storage freezers can bring chilled foods to the required core temperature. That ideally is -18°C. The basic reason behind doing that is to ensure food safety and to limit any microbial growth in the food product.
Before the expiration of their durability date, foods bearing a ‘use by’ date must be ‘frozen.’ The latest point would be midnight on the date indicated, for ‘use-by’ dates.
To ensure appropriate storage, temperatures should be maintained. You must Verify, Validate, and Monitor throughout the period of freezing.
For freezing, you will also need to assess the packaging for freezing and suitability of foods. In order to facilitate safe and appropriate freezing, you will need to determine whether food will need to be removed from the pallets or to other storage arrangements.
Pentagon Food Group 