Food Safety: Risks Involving Frozen Food

When we think of frozen food, we think of low temperatures, being shielded from spoilage, and lasting a long time, making the food seem safe. However, the reality of the situation is a bit more complicated. Frozen food storage does not mean food can not be exposed to contaminants. In fact, storage, transport, and processing can all be causes of contamination, as well as your own kitchen. Before you even freeze food, the problems can be present, and freezing does not fix the problem. The defrosting process can also cause problems, especially if food is left out. Food left out for long periods of time presents the chance for bacteria to multiply and create a health hazard.

When thinking about frozen food, as long as you understand the possible contaminants and ways to eliminate them, you will be safe.

What are the most common contaminants found with frozen food items?

Contaminants found in frozen food can be separated into 3 main types: biological, chemical, and physical. Each presents a health risk and all are important to understand.

Contaminants involving frozen food are in the form of microorganisms. These contaminants are probably the most talked about, and for good reason. Microbial contamination includes bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Some microbes are harmless and even beneficial, however a few cause illness and can be extremely dangerous.Some contamination comes from well known health risks like bacteria in the form of E. coli, salmonella, or Clostridium botulinum. Viruses, like the norovirus or rotavirus, can contaminate food as well.

Some food contamination is caused by fungi, specifically by mold, which can make food unsafe to eat.

Even if the food is later cooked, some toxins may still remain from the microbes that contaminated the food.

Food can also be contaminated by chemicals, which is more of an indirect contamination than the others.

Contaminants like pesticides used in farming can stuck to the surface of produce. Even food additives can be problematic if they are contaminated or used in high amounts.

Some contaminants, like mercury or cadmium, come from the soil or water, and can be problematic as they bioaccumulate.

Food contamination is also caused by physical contaminants, which can include metal, glass, dirt, and hair.

These contaminants are often more visible, but they can also be more difficult to detect. Contamination of food by these substances is more of a problem in large scale food production.Thus, food producers use various safety precautions to counteract these issues. Things like gloves, hair nets, and metal detectors are regular occurrences. X-ray machines are an example of more advanced technology to help catch these things before food is sold to customers.

How Contamination Happens Along the Supply Chain

Frozen food, like most other food, is processed through many intricate steps before it arrives at your home. At every single step, there is potential for problems to arise.

Production and Processing

Farms and ranches are typically the starting point of these issues.

There are many potential problems, starting with the farm. Contaminated water can be used for irrigation and cleaning of crops. If crops are not processed properly, and the surfaces and equipment are not adequately cleaned, bacteria can be transferred to the crops.

Transportation and Storage

Frozen food is likely to be transported over large distances.

Controlling the temperature of the food is a matter of safety and food quality. Defrosting food during transport sets up the environment for microbes.s

There is the potential for issues with the way the food is stored in warehouses, in stores, and in people's homes.

Consumer Handling

The food finally arrives to the most important group, us.

The reality is that many people do not understand that the situation can get even worse within the home. Too much time can be spent with the food sitting at room temperature. A defrosting food area can be created, and a cross-contamination knife can be used to cut raw meat and then vegetables without cleaning it. These are just a few of the types of incidents that occur within the home.

Not washing your hands may seem innocent, but it can (and often does) result in the spread of disease causing germs.

Conclusion

There is no argument that frozen food is convenience at its best. It saves time, reduces food waste, and it is a great solution for our busy lives.

However, safety risks do arise at every step of its journey, from the farm, to the factory to your home. As more and more people become interested in frozen food, the safety risks become even more serious. According to GMI Research, the Frozen Food Market is predicted to reach USD 447.6 billion by 2032. With numbers like that, there is no argument that frozen food is here to stay. This means food safety will also become even more important when it comes to frozen food.