Just because you put food in the freezer doesn't mean it'll last forever.

Yes, the freezer helps preserve food for longer than your fridge and is a game-changer when it comes to avoiding waste, but just because something is in the freezer doesn't mean it will never expire. Some frozen foods lose their texture, flavour, and even nutritional value.

Five foods that can go bad in the freezer

1. Green Leafy Vegetables

Spinach, kale, and lettuce contain a lot of water, which can make them limp and unappealing after thawing. Prolonged freezing alters their flavour and nutritional value. To avoid this, consume these vegetables within three to six months of freezing.

2. Frozen Meat

While freezing is convenient for preserving meat, ground meats, sausages, and fattier cuts tend to spoil more quickly—the fat content can go rancid over time. Consume these foods within three to four months of freezing. Well-wrapped whole cuts of beef, pork, lamb, or chicken can be stored for up to a year without significant deterioration.

3. Fruits that contain a lot of water

Like leafy vegetables, some fruits with high water content, such as watermelon, go through unpleasant texture changes when frozen. Their flesh becomes soft and mushy after thawing. These fruits should be consumed within two months of freezing. However, berries such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, maintain their structural and nutritional integrity for up to a year.

4. Dairy-based dishes

The fats and proteins of many dairy-based sauces will separate when thawed, giving your dish a grainy or curdled texture. To preserve the quality, try to consume these within two to three months and reheat slowly, avoiding sudden temperature changes.

5. Bread and bakery products

Although they can be frozen without any issue, bread and pastries tend to lose their flavour and texture over time. Bread dries out and can easily go stale and get freezer burn. To avoid this, it's best to pre-slice it and only thaw the required amount. Bread should be consumed within three to six months of freezing.

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