why is it wrong to put defrosted meat back in the freezer?
In: 14
It’s a matter of time & temperature allowing bacteria like E. coli to grow. If meat sits for more than 2 hours above 42F, it should be cooked and not refrozen.
If the meat’s been thawed overnight in the fridge, or during a relatively short time under cold running water, it can be refrozen safely. Any bacteria won’t have the time to spread much if at all.
If it’s been sitting out on the counter for 8 hours, and spent that time above safe temperatures, the likelihood of getting food poisoning is much higher. If you freeze it & re-thaw it, that time is *cumulative* – it doesn’t reset.
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