How to National Steak and Poultry - Is it Safe to Eat Fresh Frozen Meats?

The recent spate of food-borne illnesses that have hit the news has scared off many people from their steaks & meat pies. Fresh frozen and processed meat manufacturers are proving that their products are fresh and safe to eat. The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has stated that the ideal temperature for freezing meat is at 0°F (-17.78°C). When the frozen meat stays at 0°F consistently, then any microbes that may lurk are either killed or stay dormant.

Most restaurants, chains and retail outlets are equipped with industrial size freezer specifically meant to store meat. Always make sure your restaurant buys from a reputed food service supplier. With many restaurants now turning into corporate chains, it’s easy to perform quality checks.

For smaller restaurants and food distribution outlets, food storage may become a problem while buying large quantities of meat and poultry. Never buy a whole case of meat, fresh, frozen or processed if you’re aren’t sure about your freezer’s optimum performance. Make sure there’s a separate freezer for meat that is capable of maintaining a constant 0°F. Recent studies have shown that some bacteria & microbes cannot withstand sub-zero temperatures. Single and chain restaurants, and retail food outlets are required to follow strict rules of food, & meat storage.

During natural catastrophes, entire cities lose power. In such cases, a fully stocked freezer will preserve its contents at 0°F for 2 days approximately. A less than full freezer will preserve frozen contents for half that time. Make sure the freezer has an optimal power recycling plant during such times.

You may find that the processed meat servings that you require are much less than what’s sold in many packages or cases. Portion-controlled meats & poultry from companies like National Steak help in the proper storage of meat. As all portions are individually packed, it’s easy to store. Details like date & packing code on individual pack ensure that the product is easily traceable for purposes such as billing and other information.

Portion-controlled steaks and fillets not only help you inform your patrons about a healthy protein diet; it also eliminates any food-borne illness by restricting the quantity of meat you thaw out. Raw steaks or chops can be stored for up to 12 months in controlled conditions. Cooked meats and poultry can last anywhere between 2-5 months depending upon the manufacturer.

National Steak & Poultry has been supplying the food service industry for more than 2 decades. Working out of Oklahoma, NSP supplies fully cooked and fresh frozen marinated, pre-portioned beef and poultry to restaurants chains and distributors all over the nation. Please visit www.nationalsteak.com for more details.