Seven foods that should 'never be frozen' due to health risks, warns agency

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) has warned people to never freeze seven common types of foods or they'll face potential health risks

By Maria Ortega, Foreign Content Specialist, Matt Davies

Man Looks for Food in Frig While Pup Looks On

AESAN has urged people to ensure their freezers are kept at -18 degrees or less (Image: Getty Images)

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) has issued a warning against freezing seven common types of foods, citing potential health risks.

The agency advises that freezers should be maintained at -18 degrees or less to prevent health hazards from foodborne microorganisms.

These microorganisms can become active during defrosting and pose a health risk if consumed in large quantities, according to El Tiempo.

The list of foods to avoid freezing includes raw fruits and vegetables like lettuce and tomatoes, potatoes, eggs with their shells, high-fat foods, mayonnaise, and fried foods.

El Mundo also provided a list of foods suitable for freezing, such as meats, fish, cold cuts, vegetables, legumes, sausages, fruits, beaten eggs, and bread. It further cautioned against freezing hot foods as it could adversely affect other items.

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The list of foods you shouldn’t freeze includes eggs with their shells (Image: Getty Images)

The NHS emphasises the importance of proper food storage and reheating, advising people to thoroughly defrost food before reheating, preferably in the fridge or using a microwave's defrost function.

It warns against defrosting food at room temperature and urges consumption within 24 hours of defrosting. Babies and young children are especially susceptible to the bacteria that causes food poisoning.

However, improper storage of food in the fridge or freezer is just one potential cause of this unpleasant illness.

The NHS cautions individuals about not thoroughly cooking or reheating food, leaving food out for extended periods, and the risk of contamination from someone who is ill or hasn't washed their hands. It's also vital to not consume food past its use-by date.

The NHS also stresses the importance of proper food storage and reheating

The NHS also stresses the importance of proper food storage and reheating (Image: Getty Images)

The usual suspects for food poisoning include campylobacter, salmonella, E. coli, and norovirus, with symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, a high temperature, and generally feeling unwell with fatigue, aches, and chills.

Despite these symptoms, people can often manage them at home, and they typically subside within a week. However, it's crucial to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

You can learn more about storing food via the NHS website here. For more on food poisoning, visit the website here.

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