AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Question HI Carol, I have a few questions. First, we bought a lot of vacuum packed meat from someone who was going thru our neighborhood, The Butcher Shop, INc.. We have had some of this meat for over a year. How long is the vacuum packed stuff good for? We also have a frozen turkey over a year old and a whole ham almost a year old. Keep or toss?
Answer Hi Katherine,
Most frozen beef products should be used within 1 year for maximum flavor, color and texture retention. However, frozen meat over 1 year that has been wrapped well to keep out the air (vacuum packaging is designed to keep out the air)can have a longer freezer life.
As long as meat stays frozen, technically it is SAFE to eat. However, the quality of the product goes down over time and that's why it is recommended to eat the meat within 1 year. It's a quality issue --not a safety issue.
Also, turkey frozen for over a year will start to reveal quality changes that may make it unappetizing. Again, it is a quality issue -- not a safety issue. Freezer burn is safe to eat -- just not very appetizing.
Ham tends to deteriorate faster in the freezer, thus the recommended storage time is 1 to 2 months. Again -- it's a quality issue, not a safety issue.
