Question QUESTION: After fishing trips I come home and vacuum seal what I don't eat and put it in the freezer. How long can I leave the fish there and it still be safe to eat? The fillets look good, but some have been in there for over a year and a half. TIme to throw out?
Thank you for your reply.
ANSWER: I wouldn't keep the fish more than 3-4 months frozen. In addition, you need to be careful with vacuum packaged food. Fish should be frozen prior to sealing, and should never be allowed to thaw out until you eat the fish. By eliminating the oxygen from the packaging you can create an environment ideal for botulism poisoning. Strict temperature control during storage and cooking are the key. Always cook fish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees or above.
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QUESTION: Chris,
I am confused. This person had salmon frozen for 4 years and was told that the quality may not be there, but it was safe to eat.
Expert: Carol Schlitt
Date: 7/10/2007
Subject: freezer life of vac packed fish
Question
I have a vacuum packed salmon that has been in my freezer for 4 years. It has never thawed during that time. IS it safe to thaw and cook and eat?
Answer
Hi John,
Yes, the salmon is safe to thaw and cook and eat. Frozen foods that have remained frozen are safe to eat for a long, long time past their "best if used by" frozen storage recommendation. The recommendation is based on quality -- not safety. While the 4 year old salmon will be safe to eat, it may not be the highest quality. After all, freezer burn is not unsafe to eat, just not very appetizing.
Carol
Answer Robert,
Storage times are recommendations, and most are based on food quality. If fish (as in the question you referenced) is kept frozen for 4 years, and never thawed, there is no significant risk of foodborne illness. But you did originally ask about safety, and your fish, if handled properly should still be safe after a year and a half. I would assume the taste and quality of the fish at this point would be significantly decreased.
The original question also does not indicate whether the fish was commercially vacuum packed or packed at home. Commercial packers follow very strict guidelines to ensure the safety of the food when it is packaged. These standards can also ensure safety of a product for a very long time. I would be hesitant to use home vacuum packaged food that has been around longer than a year.
