Your freezer is likely packed with various foods, including vegetables, fruit, ice cream, meat, and prepared foods just waiting to be thawed and cooked.

If you notice that the date on the frozen food package has already passed, you may be wondering if that food is still safe to eat.

The good news is that you can eat frozen food that has passed its expiration date — although in some cases, the flavor, color, or texture may have decreased in quality (1).

This article explains everything you need to know about eating frozen food past the expiration date.

An expiration date is somewhat of a myth. In the United States, manufacturers can include a variety of dates on food products, but the only food that is mandated to include a product date is infant formula.

The regulations for food product dating vary by country, with some countries prohibiting the sale of foods past the product date (2, 3, 4).

Here are some types of product dates you might see on your food (2):

None of these dates are actual expiration dates or indicate that the food will no longer be safe to eat at that time.

Freezing food is an excellent way to maintain the nutritional value, quality, and flavor of many foods (5).

Unlike perishable foods stored in the refrigerator, frozen foods are often safe long after the use-by date. Storing food at 0 °F deactivates microbes (bacteria) that could cause spoilage (5).

However, if the freezer is opened often and foods are allowed to reach temperatures higher than 0°F, the chances of spoilage increase (5).

While food can safely be eaten past the expiration date, some foods may decrease in quality and flavor after too much time in the freezer.

In the United States, food manufacturers add dates to products to indicate food’s freshness, but labeling regulations vary by country. Freezing food often keeps it safe to eat long after the use-by date.

While food is often safe to eat past its expiration date, that doesn’t mean you’ll want to eat it.

Storing certain foods too long can make them look or taste “off” due to freezer burn or drying out. To avoid food waste, get creative in how you use frozen foods that may have dried out by using them in casseroles, baked dishes, or smoothies (1).

If food has been stored improperly or allowed to reach temperatures above 0°F, it may not be safe to eat, even if the food is not expired. If a food has an “off” or rotten smell after thawing, it’s safest to toss it out (6).

Here are some steps you can take to make sure your frozen food stays safe:

Here is a list of common foods and how long they will maintain their quality and freshness in a freezer at 0°F (7, 8):

Meat, including poultry and fish, maintains quality much longer when frozen raw versus cooked. This is because of the higher moisture content in raw meat. Once cooked, it’s more likely to dry out after being frozen for a longer period of time (7).

The freezing time of fruits and vegetables varies based on how the food was prepared, packaged, and stored. Some vegetables like cabbage, potatoes, celery, and cucumbers don’t freeze well at all. The high water content makes them mushy once thawed (9).

The amount of time a frozen food will stay safe and maintain quality depends on how the food was prepared, packaged, and stored. The safe temperature for frozen foods is 0℉.

Besides the food itself, the way that the food was prepared, packaged, and stored will also influence how long it will maintain its quality and freshness in the freezer (8).

Preparing, packaging, and storing food correctly keeps it from spoiling quickly by limiting air exposure and the buildup of ice crystals in the food (5).

Blanching vegetables before freezing preserves their nutritional value, color, taste, and texture. To blanch a vegetable, submerge it in boiling water for a short period of time, then quickly placed it in ice-cold water to stop the cooking process (5, 8).

Store food in vapor-resistant, airtight containers or packaging to avoid exposure to air and odors that cause off-flavors in the food (8).

Freeze food as quickly as possible to avoid the build-up of ice crystals that can cause the food to dry out when thawed. Spread food out into an even layer to freeze quickly (5).

The length of time a frozen food can be stored safely depends on proper storage to keep air away from the food and the temperature at or below 0℉ .

While food that has been frozen is safe to eat (provided that it was frozen properly and in a quality state), here are some obvious signs that it has lost its quality and may have gone bad:

The texture, color, and smell of a thawed, previously frozen food, can help indicate if that food is safe to eat. When in doubt, throw it out.

The expiration date, or use-by date, on food helps to estimate the expected timeframe that the food will still be at its highest quality. Eating frozen food past the expiration date can be safe, but the food may no longer have the best flavor or texture.

Keeping frozen food at or below 0℉ will help maintain the quality and safety of that food for the longest amount of time.

Be aware of the signs that frozen food isn’t safe to eat. Once thawed, inspect the smell, texture, and color for signs of spoilage.

Try this today: Freezing food is a great way to fight food waste. Check your refrigerator at least once a week for any leftovers, fruits, or vegetables that are close to spoiling, and move them to the freezer.

Freezing food before it goes bad saves you money and keeps food waste out of the landfill.

Last medically reviewed on June 16, 2022

Most of us know not to keep raw meat in the kitchen cabinet, since it's perishable. But what exactly counts as perishable food? This article explores…

Having the right frozen foods in your freezer can help you enjoy a nutritious, affordable meal that's very quick and easy to prepare.

Frozen meal delivery services make it easy and convenient to enjoy a nutritious meal that fits your nutritional needs without having to spend time…

Researchers say high fructose corn syrup found in many foods and beverages can increase the risk of certain types of liver disease

Some claim that raw milk is healthier than pasteurized, but experts disagree. This article investigates if the potential benefits of raw milk outweigh…

Lactose intolerant people don't have to avoid all dairy products. These dairy foods have low levels of lactose and are usually well-tolerated.

Apple cider vinegar has been used for thousands of years due to its slightly sweet taste and numerous potential health benefits. Here are the 9 best…

Here are 15 different sweet Starbucks drinks you might be interested in trying, plus a few tips for reducing the sugar in your order.

Think your teen's social media use affects their mood? It could — but the link between social media and depression is somewhat complex.

Learn why many people with ADHD eat for stimulation, plus how to recognize when this eating pattern could be affecting your well-being.