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From: halle1@houxz.UUCP (J.HALLE)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: Is it okay to refreeze meat?
Message-ID: <684@houxz.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 29-Feb-84 14:04:49 EST
Article-I.D.: houxz.684
Posted: Wed Feb 29 14:04:49 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 2-Mar-84 08:31:13 EST
References: <470@inuxd.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 10

The health problem is not with refreezing meat per se, but with
refreezing meat that has been contaminated with bacteria.  If this
meet is refrozen, the bacteria will survive to multiply upon rethawing,
if they don't while frozen.  If the meat still has some ice crystals
in it, it should be OK.  If it thawed in a cold fridge so that it never
got above 36-40 F or so, it is probably OK.

Just because it is safe, however, does not mean you want to refreeze it.
The freeze-thaw cycle will affect the flavor and texture, so you might
want to cook it now, anyway.