Tips for Staying Safe in Consuming Frozen Food in the Middle of a Pandemic

Frozen Food
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Various studies have found the SARS Cov-2 virus can survive frozen meat and fish for up to three weeks. Other studies have shown that the corona virus that causes covid-19 in frozen salmon lasts 8 days.

The study of the corona virus and frozen foods is still developing and is a matter of debate.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that there is no evidence to show that this virus can be transmitted through food or food packaging. Viruses are mainly spread by droplets or droplets.

But in the midst of a pandemic and social restrictions, frozen food is often the answer. Conditions that require people to stay at home and reduce the intensity of going out have made frozen food more and more popular.

How are tips for keeping frozen food safe and avoiding disease?

Pelni Hospital Nutrition Specialist, Jovita Amelia emphasized paying attention to the rules listed on frozen food packaging so that it is safe to consume. The key, this frozen food must be stored according to a predetermined temperature.

“Frozen food that has good storage methods, so the temperature is right, the duration is also appropriate, and does not use dangerous preservatives and is not thawed repeatedly is considered safe,” said doctor Jovita, as quoted by Antara.

“But usually, fast food like this is high in salt and this salt content is dangerous, especially in people with hypertension and kidney disorders,” Jovita warned.

He also added, if you want to buy frozen food, choose one with good nutritional content by reading the information on the packaging. Also remember to pay attention to the expiration date.

Also, store frozen foods at the recommended temperature and avoid storing them for too long.

“So there is a standard storage temperature and storage time, freezer temperature is less than five degrees, storage time is two to three months,” said Jovita.

Ready-to-eat frozen food is basically food that has been cooked or half cooked. To enjoy it, you have to cook it again by frying, boiling, steaming, grilling or simply heating it, which means there is repeated cooking.

That’s because it is important not to leave food so that you no longer need to store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Besides being able to remove nutrients due to heating several times, food that has been opened from the packaging has the potential to generate bacteria.

“Do not store thawed food back in the freezer, because this thawed food will easily grow bacteria,” explained Jovita.

He also suggests choosing frozen food that doesn’t contain nitrates. Because for the long term, consuming foods with these ingredients can be harmful to health.

“It is not good for long-term consumption, especially with heating, because it has a carcinogenic effect,” he explained again.