Date labels

Freezing & defrosting

Written by the VitaWhat editorial team · Medically reviewed by Steve Davis · Last reviewed 19 July 2026 · Editorial policy

Freezing pauses the clock and extends most foods for months.

Typical storage time: Most foods 3–6 months frozen; freeze before the use-by date

Best for

  • Meat, bread, cooked meals, many fruits and vegetables

Avoid for

  • Foods with high water content that go mushy (e.g. lettuce)

Good to know

Freeze as fresh as possible. Defrost in the fridge, not on the counter, and don't refreeze raw food once thawed.

Sources & references

  1. UK Food Standards Agency — Storage & food dates
  2. NHS — How to store food safely
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